So, you’ve decided to add Cousin It to your garden. But what are the best ways to do so? In this blog, we’ll tackle five ideas on how to add Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ into your garden.
Getting To Know Casuarina ‘Cousin It’
Have you met Cousin It? No, not the playboy Cousin Itt from the famous Addams Family, but Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ – a unique and versatile plant originating from Australia! This ground-hugging plant is known for its dense and cascading foliage, resembling a flowing green waterfall. Its texture provides a soft, natural element to any garden so it tends to be useful for both modern and traditional landscapes.
Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ also thrives in various conditions. First, it’s highly drought-tolerant. This means that it can withstand long periods without water. Second, this plant is not picky with soil types, whether sandy soils, clay, and others. Plus, Cousin It also flourishes in both full sun and partial shade! Essentially, if you’re going for a low-maintenance garden, then this plant is definitely a great addition!
It adds visual interest but also helps suppress weeds which will help reduce the need for frequent weeding. It can be used to cover large areas or add texture to a rock garden. Whatever you decide to use it for, Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ offers a unique solution that’s as functional as it is beautiful.
Unique Ways to Use Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ in Your Garden
Alright, now that we have a clear definition of Cousin It, here are some of the unique ways you can add it to your garden. Let’s get started!
Ground Cover Solutions
In the first place, the Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ is an evergreen shrub or ground cover. So, of course, its best use is as ground cover. It’s basically a beautiful green carpet that can fill large areas with minimal maintenance. But what are the best ways that you can use the plant as a ground cover solution? First off, you can use it to cover a slope, fill in gaps between other plans, or create a seamless transition between different garden areas.
You can pair it beautifully with harder landscape elements, like stone pathways or gravel beds. Since the plant has flowing tendrils that create a soft, natural look, it will provide a contrasting effect that matches well with the harder elements in your garden.
Rock Garden Companion
As mentioned just in the previous section, the soft effect of Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ contrasts well with hard landscape elements. Which is why, it is a perfect companion plant in your rock garden! The rough, rugged appearance of rocks and stones blends well with the soft, trailing foliage of Cousin It. Imagine the delicate, green tendrils of this plant and the solid, earthy tones of rocks, creating a visually appealing balance that adds depth and interest to your garden design.
Though not picky with soils, Cousin It thrives in well-drained soils, so it will do well in rock gardens. It also has low water requirements and the ability to adapt to various conditions, allowing it to flourish even in challenging environments. Some of the best ways to use this plant in rock gardens is by draping it over boulders, spilling over retaining walls, or filling in gaps between stones. It creates a unique cohesive and natural look with your rock garden and improves the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space.
Border and Edge Enhancement
If you want to enhance the borders and edges of your garden, then a Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ is the best plant for this purpose! Its flowing, cascading foliage creates a soft, natural look for the garden edge to frame pathways, garden beds, and even driveways beautifully. This plant is also helpful in defining different areas of your garden.
It can help create a clear yet aesthetically pleasing separation between spaces. In a way, Cousin It adds a sense of continuity and flow that guides the eye naturally from one area to the next. For instance, you can use it to line a formal garden path or outline a more informal garden beth. Plus, due to its low-growing nature, it won’t overwhelm other plants. It’s basically the perfect choice to complement both tall and short garden features.
Container Gardening Ideas
Surprisingly, Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ isn’t just for traditional garden beds, but container gardening too! It’s a versatile plant that can be grown in pots or hanging baskets where the cascading foliage spills over the sides to create a stunning visual effect. You can place the containers on your patio balcony, or even indoors near a sunny window where you want to add a touch of greenery and charm.
A good example here is planting Cousin It in a hanging basket. Imagine the plant’s tendrils cascading down and creating a waterfall-like effect, eye-catching and soothing at the same time. Remember to follow container gardening practices though such as choosing the right soil mix. It’s also important to ensure proper drainage so the plant can thrive and maintain its beautiful form.
Creating Themed Gardens
Are you planning to create a coastal garden? Or maybe a native garden? Whatever theme you choose for your outdoor space, know that you can definitely add Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ into everything. Here are a few examples:
- Coastal Garden – With its flowing, wave-like foliage that mirrors the motion of the ocean, Cousin It is definitely an ideal plant for coastal-inspired landscapes. You can use it to soften the edges of walkways for create a low-maintenace ground cover. Or, pair it with hardy succulents and coastal natives that will overall result in a serene, beachy vibe that invites relaxation.
- Minimalist Garden – In a garden design where less is more, Cousin It blends perfectly. Imagine a minimalist garden where smooth concrete pavers are lined with the soft, flowing green of this plant. It’s also a great accent around modern water features, bringing life and movement to minimalist spaces without overwhelming the designs.
- Native Australian Garden – As mentioned in the early sections, Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ originates in Australia. So, it’s only proper to add it to your Native Australian-themed garden. It can be used to create a naturalistic ground cover that complements other native plants like kangaroo paw, bottlebrush, and grevillea.
So, have you decided what’s the best way you can use Cousin It and its flowing green tendrils to your garden design? Whatever you decide on, know that this plant is one of the most easy to work with plants out there. It’s not merely just ground cover if you know how to utilise it best! Take inspiration from the ideas we’ve shared above or research more online. Know that there are plenty of ideas to choose from. What’s important is you have a clear garden design in mind to which you can add Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ seamlessly.
