Deicke Richards was the lead consultant, commissioned to provide horticultural expertise and research towards the creation of the Waterwise Plant Selector. The website is the largest database of its kind in Australia and includes more than 4,000 plants. Developed by the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), the interactive searchable database assists users to identify the plants best suited to the seven specific climate zones in Queensland.
Home gardeners, landscape architects, landscape contractors and other professionals can select plants according to a variety of attributes such as plant type, foliage retention, foliage or flower colour, light requirements, soil type and maintenance. The database specifically provides users with information on the water requirements of all plants listed. This allows users to evaluate the appropriateness of their selections.
To assist with the development of the database, research workshops were held in each climatic zone throughout Queensland. The team also liaised with the horticultural, landscape and nursery industry regarding suitable plants and selection criteria.
The database went live in September 2010. Our work was completed with the assistance of AIMS Pty Ltd and Subtropical Media.
Photography: Paul Plant
