Bushland Baskets
Bushland Baskets are portable displays of native plants grown in cane baskets, using locally sourced species from the Lithgow Community Nursery. Designed to reflect our local bushland, each basket promotes the beauty, biodiversity, and ecological value of provenance-based planting—while showcasing the work of our Landcare and community nurseries.
Self sustenance - LEP23-035_RLC-04
The issue
For our Regional Landcare Muster, we wanted to showcase the work of our community and Landcare nurseries in a more engaging way than brochures or banners. We needed something eye-catching, portable, and meaningful. Bushland Baskets provided the perfect solution—cane baskets filled with locally sourced native plants, arranged to reflect the layers of our local bushland, mimicking what you might see on a bushwalk. This allowed us to literally bring the bush to the muster and promote the nurseries’ role in landscape restoration and biodiversity support.
The solution
How I made them:
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A cane basket (approx. 200–300mm deep)
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Plastic liner (with drainage holes)
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Good quality potting mix for Native plants
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A mix of native plants suited to our local environment
Method:
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We lined each basket with plastic to prevent soil from washing out.
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Cut drainage holes in the liner - otherwise, you’ll waterlog your plants.
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Fill your baskets with a good native plant potting mix.
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Arrange your plants with the taller species in the back and lower-growing or spreading varieties around the edge.
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Once planted, water them in.
These baskets make great display ideas or a beautiful gift for someone who loves native plants.
The impact
The Bushland Baskets were a major hit at the muster. Attendees were drawn to them immediately, asking about the species, admiring the design, and engaging in conversations about the work of local landcare and community nurseries.
Key facts
- 15 native plant species featured -all local to Bathurst Lithgow area
- 100% of plant species sourced from Lithgow Community Nursery
- Did you know Leptospermum macrocarpum – Lithgow Flower is the floral emblem of Lithgow City Council