AUSTRALIAN NATIVES I BHT113

Distance Learning Australian Native Plants Course

Broaden your Plant knowledge and explore one of the most diverse and under used groups of plants in the world.

Australian native plants are increasing in popularity in many countries throughout the world and are grown commercially as cut flowers in Israel and South America. Eucalypts are widely planted trees throughout California, and is an increasingly popular specimen tree used in gardens of Southern England. Macadamia nuts and Tea Tree Oil are produced in commercial plantations not only in Australia, and beyond.  

Australian climatic conditions range from hot-dry to cold - wet; soils also vary according to region from alkaline to acidic. Consequently the plant life of this large country is abundant and diverse, offering an interesting range of possibilities, whether you live in Australia or elsewhere.  Many Australian natives are also well suited as indoor plants.

Duration:  100 hours

Content

There are nine lessons in this course, as follows:

1.  Introduction

• Scope and nature of Australian indigenous plants
• Review of the system of plant identification
• Origins of Australian flora, and three main flora types
• General characteristics of Australian flora,
• Resources : Information contacts,: nurseries, seed, clubs
• Review of major Australian plant families.

2.  Cultural Techniques

• Environmental factors
• Nutrition
• Pest and disease
• Soils, characteristics and management
• Watering and water management
• Drainage
• Limestone underlay technique
• Compost, no dig growing, feeding
• Pruning Australian plants
• Planting
• Staking
• Temperature requirements
• Mulching
• Plant Establishment ... special techniques
• Natives in Shade
• Weed Control
• Propagation of Australian plants

3.  Eucalypts

• Sub groups (gums, stringy barks, messmates, boxes, etc)
• Hybrid Eucalypts
• General culture of the genus Eucalyptus
• Review of selected species

4.  Native Trees

• Casuarina, Allocasuarina, Gymnostoma and Ceuthostoma
• Macadamia
• Australian conifers
• Callitris
• Araucaria
• Palms, etc.

5.  Acacias

• Overview of Acacias -scope and nature
• Cultural needs of Acacias
• Review of popular Acacia species
• Drawing a garden Design
• Using plants effectively in the garden

6.  Melaleucas, Callistemons and Leptospermums

• Review of the Myrtaceae family
• Callistemon ... culture, profile of popular species
• Leptospermum
• Baeckea
• Calothamnus
• Calytrix
• Eugenia
• Homoranthus
• Kunzea
• Melaleuca
• Scholtzia
• Syzygium
• Verticordia
• Thryptomene

7.  Grevilleas

• Scope and nature of the genus
• General culture of Grevilleas
• Types of Grevilleas ... classified according to flower type ...erect, pendant, toothbrush, cylinder
• McGilveray classification system intoeleven main groups
• Describing Grevilleas ... using botanical terms
• Low growing Grevilleas
• Banksii types
• Warm climate Grevilleas
• Poorinda hybrids
• Other popular Grevillea species
• Related Proteaceae Natives
• Dryandra
• Hakea
• Banksia
• Telopea

8.  Ground Cover and Small Shrubs

• Fabaceae (Papillionaceae) Pea Family Australian Plants
• Boronias
• Prostanthera

9.  Commercial Applications

• Fragrant Australian Native Plants
• Cut flowers, Bird attractants, timber, bush tucker, etc
• Growing Australian Plants in containers

   What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

  This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.

  If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.

  If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.

  If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.

  There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.

  Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.

  You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.

  You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

   

EXAMPLES OF THINGS YOU MAY DO:

• Compile a series of plant reviews with information on each plant variety, such as:
• Common Name, Plant Family, Genus & Species names, Variety (if applicable), Height, Width, Soil requirements, Environmental requirements, Cultural procedures (eg. propagation and pruning), Pest and disease susceptibility
• Visit nurseries and/or gardens and observe Australian plants
• Classify most significant cultivated native plants, to the family level.
• Determine cultural practices to maintain healthy native plants.
• Explain the identification and culture of eucalypts in your locality.
• Explain the identification and culture of native trees.
• Explain the identification and culture of acacias in your locality.
• Explain the identification and culture of native shrubs, including species of Acacia, Melaleuca, Callistemon and Leptospermum.
• Explain the identification and culture of different Proteaceous native plants, with particular emphasis on the genus Grevillea.
• Explain the identification and culture of a range of Australian Native ground covers and small shrubs.
• Determine commercially viable applications for different native plants.

  More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses

  Who are our tutors?

  Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

  Sample Course Notes

  Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

  What learning method should I choose?

  We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”

  How Long will it take to complete the course?

  This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

  Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”

  What Do Our Students think of us?

  If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.

  I don’t think this is the right course for me.

  If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.

  You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.

  If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk

  Recognition and Accreditation

  For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.

  Who is ACS Distance Education?

  If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”

Home Study Australian Native Plants Course