Native Plant Giveaways
Hornsby Shire Council invites all residents of the Shire to nurture their local environment by booking an appointment to collect four free nativeplants.
Native Plant Giveaway - Southern Suburbs
In a change from more recent years, the Shire will be geographically divided, with the March event open to residents from the following suburbs: Beecroft, Castle Hill, Cheltenham, Cherrybrook, Dural, Galston, Glenhaven, Middle Dural, Normanhurst, North Epping, Pennant Hills, Thornleigh, Wahroonga, Waitara, West Pennant Hills and Westleigh.
Taking place at Council’s Warada Ngurang Community Nursery in Pennant Hills on:
- Friday 27 from 9am-3pm
- Saturday 28 March from 9am-1pm
Residents of the listed suburbs can select plants from a great variety of grasses, groundcovers, shrubs, climbers and various-sized trees – all cultivated by dedicated volunteers and staff at the nursery.
Book now
Bookings are essential.
Native Plant Giveaway - Northern Suburbs
Residents in the remaining suburbs will have the opportunity on 28 and 29 August to obtain their plants at the Native Plant Giveaway - Northern Suburbs. These suburbs include: Arcadia, Asquith, Berrilee, Berowra, Berowra Heights, Berowra Waters, Brooklyn, Canoelands, Cowan, Dangar Is, Fiddletown, Forest Glen, Glenorie, Hornsby, Hornsby Heights, Laughtondale, Maroota, Milsons Passage, Mt Colah, Mt Kuring-gai, Singletons Mill and Wisemans Ferry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Native Plant Giveaways program?
This program invites all residents to visit Council’s Warada Ngurang Community Nursery to collect 4 free native plants annually for their Hornsby Shire property. The plants are cultivated by dedicated volunteers and staff at the community nursery. Bookings are essential.
When will the Native Plant Givewaways be held?
In 2026, we will hold our Native Plant Giveaways on Friday 27 March and Saturday 28 March for residents of the Shire’s southern suburbs only. Southern suburbs include: Beecroft, Castle Hill, Cheltenham, Cherrybrook, Dural, Galston, Glenhaven, Middle Dural, Normanhurst, North Epping, Pennant Hills, Thornleigh, Wahroonga, Waitara, West Pennant Hills and Westleigh.
Residents of remaining suburbs (northern suburbs) will have their chance to collect their four free plants on 28 and 29 August.
Northern suburbs include: Berowra, Berowra Heights, Berowra Waters, Brooklyn, Cowan, Dangar Is, Hornsby, Hornsby Heights, Mt Colah, Mt Kuring-gai, Arcadia, Berrilee, Canoelands, Fiddletown, Forest Glen, Galston, Laughtondale, Lower Hawkesbury, Maroota, Singletons Mill and Wisemans Ferry.
Where is Warada Ngurang Community Nursery
Warada Ngurang Community Nursery is located at 28 Britannia Street, Pennant Hills. For those driving, please park along Britannia Street, taking care not to block any Hornsby Shire Council facility driveways.
What type of plants will be available?
There will be a wide variety of native plant species to choose from at each session including grasses, groundcovers, shrubs, ferns, climbers, and various-sized trees.
Information will be provided so that residents can choose the plants that best suit their gardens and pot plants.
The plants will be in small pots (‘tubes’) and are easy to carry ‘as is’ or in reusable shopping bags (BYO).
What plant advice will be available?
We will have staff and volunteers on hand to help you select the best plants for your needs.
Information about each species on offer will be displayed on a poster, helping you choose species that will suit the growing conditions in your garden. Details will include the plant species’ size at maturity, its desirable features, and other useful information. We suggest taking a photo of the poster so that these details are handy on your return home. There will also be 'How to Plant' flyers for you to take home.
For further information go to hornsby.nsw.gov.au/nursery
Can I visit the nursery a second time?
Residents are strictly limited to attending the nursery at their pre-booked day and time. To ensure free native plants are available for all, only one booking per property per annum is permitted under this program.
Do I need to show proof of residence in Hornsby Shire?
Yes. To receive free plants at the Native Plant Giveaways, you need to provide evidence that you live within Hornsby Shire, so please bring along your driver's licence, rates notice or utility bill (digital or hard copy).
Property addresses (but not names) of free plant recipients will be recorded by Council to monitor distribution and ensure the maximum number of plants per property is not exceeded.
Can community groups book to collect plants?
These Native Plant Giveaways are for individual residential properties only. To enquire about plants for community or other groups, please send an email to nursery@hornsby.nsw.gov.au.
What if I am unable to attend the Native Plant Giveaways?
Residents can choose one day from at least two alternate days per year to attend Native Plant Giveaways at the community nursery. To collect your 4 free native plants, you must make a booking and attend on the date and time of your booking. Should you need to change your booking, please find your booking confirmation email and follow instructions to change your booking to a more suitable time. Should remaining timeslots be unsuitable, you will unfortunately need to postpone your visit to the following year. For further information, please send an email to nursery@hornsby.nsw.gov.au.
What if I can't make or forget my booking?
Subject to availability, you may be able to change your booking to another time by following the prompts in your email booking confirmation or booking using the QR code at the nursery gate. Should remaining timeslots be unsuitable, you will unfortunately need to postpone your visit to the following year. For further information, please send an email to nursery@hornsby.nsw.gov.au.
Can plants for schools be collected at the Native Plant Giveaways?
To keep our Native Plant Giveaways running smoothly, plants for schools cannot be provided at these events. To enquire about plants for schools, please send an email to nursery@hornsby.nsw.gov.au.
What if I live in a unit block or other strata property?
Residents of strata properties can each make a booking to collect 4 free native plants per annum for their private space. To keep our Native Plant Giveaways running smoothly, plants for communal outdoor spaces cannot be provided at these events. To enquire about plants for strata property communal spaces, please send an email to nursery@hornsby.nsw.gov.au.
Can plants be collected for business properties?
The Native Plant Giveaways are for residential properties only. For further information, please send an email to nursery@hornsby.nsw.gov.au.