Questions? We've got answers.

We're at 11-15 Sea Lake-Swan Hill Road, Swan Hill VIC 3585, on the outskirts of town and easy to find from the main road. There's plenty of parking on site, with room to load up big pots and trees.

Getting here: head out along the Sea Lake-Swan Hill Road and look for the nursery signage on your right. If you get lost, ring us on 0409 389 586, or get directions.

We're open seven days a week, including public holidays:

Tuesday to Friday: 9am to 5:30pm
Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Sunday, Monday and public holidays: 10am to 4pm

Christmas and Easter hours can vary, so ring ahead if you're not sure.

Planning a visit? Tuesday to Friday mornings are usually quieter if you'd like a longer chat with Peta-Lyn or John.

Yes, plenty. There's room on site for bigger vehicles carrying pots, trees or trailers. Just pull in and take your time.

Well-behaved dogs on a lead are very welcome. Just be mindful of other customers and their dogs.

Yes, it's one of the things we know best. Salty soil is a real challenge across much of the Swan Hill region, and Peta-Lyn and John have managed it on their own 3-acre block for over four decades.

Plants that do well on salty ground here include many Australian natives (saltbush and wattles), olives, figs, pomegranates, and a range of drought tolerant shrubs and groundcovers. The right choice depends on your soil, your aspect and what you want from the spot.

Come in and talk to us. When Peta-Lyn or John recommends a salt tolerant plant, the advice comes from their own backyard. See our salt tolerant plants.

Swan Hill is great fruit-growing country. Hot summers, cold winters and low humidity suit a wide range of fruit trees, including:

Citrus (Lisbon lemons are especially reliable), stone fruit such as apricots, peaches and plums, table grapes (the Swan Hill region is one of Australia's top grape-growing areas), almonds, pistachios, figs, pomegranates and olives.

Variety matters. Some rootstocks and varieties handle the Mallee far better than others. Talk to John or Peta-Lyn about what suits your soil and the water you have. See our fruit trees for the Mallee.

Plenty of natives are made for the Mallee, but they're not all equal. Coastal and high-rainfall natives often struggle here, while true Mallee species do well.

Good performers around Swan Hill include wattles (Acacia), saltbushes (Atriplex and Rhagodia), native grasses, drought-hardy grevilleas and local Mallee eucalypts. We choose our native stock for this region, not generic "Australian native" plants raised for a completely different climate.

Ask about wildlife-friendly natives. Many Mallee natives bring in birds and native bees and make easy-care garden plants. See our Mallee native plants.

Swan Hill summers are hot, dry and unforgiving. A few things make a real difference:

Choose the right plant first. A drought tolerant plant that suits the Mallee will always do better than a poor match that needs constant watering to survive.

Water deeply, not often. Shallow, frequent watering keeps roots near the surface. Deep, less frequent watering sends roots down, where the moisture stays longer.

Mulch generously. A thick layer of mulch cuts the moisture lost from the soil and keeps the roots cooler.

Plant before the heat. Plant in autumn or early spring where you can, so roots have time to grow before the first hot spell.

Not sure a plant will cope? Ask us before you buy. We'd rather talk you out of a plant than sell you one that won't last the season. See our drought tolerant plants.

Frost is a real consideration in the Mallee: frosts usually run from mid-May to early September. The good news is that many of the region's best garden plants are frost hardy by nature.

Most fruit trees (which need a winter chill), natives, olives, rosemary, lavender, many ornamental grasses and mop tops get through a Swan Hill winter without any trouble.

Tropicals, frost-tender citrus and other tender plants need protection or a sheltered spot. When you buy from us, we'll tell you honestly what a plant needs, even if it's not what you hoped to hear.