Verge plantings are a great way to greening our townships. This can be done by planting native plants, and or small native shrubs and trees suitable to your area.

Road verges are spaces that are all too often neglected. By maintaining small gardens, residents can help to improve our urban biodiversity, improve the management of storm water, and add to the cool green feel of their town. Verge gardens can also benefit the health of street trees and support local wildlife.

Verges are typically narrow spaces of land within the streetscape that need to be safe for pedestrians, road users and allow space for residential bin collection. This can make selection of appropriate plants a challenge.

To help our residents, Council has produced an Alexandrina Township Verges Planting Guide. This guide provides suggestions and ideas for Alexandrina residents living in townships to green their verges.

You can download the Verges Planting Guide here.

However, before you plant, ensure that you are allowed to plant in the area. For example, while you can plant on private land, you are not allowed to plant trees on Council and/or State Land, or road verges without permission. There are also limitations when planting trees under or near powerlines. Refer to SA Power Networks Website for more information.

If you wish to create a verge, please complete the Residential Landscaping Application form and submit to Council.

Our Environmental Project Officer will be happy to provide advice and help with the application and the selection of suitable plants.

Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of all trees on Council land, including those that have been planted by residents on Council verges. Residents and ratepayers are not authorised to prune or remove trees on Council land without prior written approval from Council.

Further information on what to know before planting and where to get suitable plants from, go to the One Million Trees page.