Hi ddzx , I started a bit like you did , with lots of different natives , mainly W.A. species.
I had many failures, and noted one hole had 4 different failures (natives). (i did remember the botanical names for many years)
My water was one dollar a kilolitre when I first started my garden, and now nudging five dollars a kilolitre. So now I only establish stuff that will grow with local rainfall after the first summer.
I have quite heavy clay soil, capped with about 100mm of gravel imported by me. Same block for 20 years now. 1 acre.
The callistemon varieties have all faired well, and grow on their own.(8 on my block)
I grew a lot of cape lilac for shade , but some are dying from lack of water. I replace them with carobs(21 on my block), although not native , they are established well in the Kalgoorlie region of WA. They grow on their own, and boosted with an exceptional wet summer, which means they are off and racing for many years to come.
My favourite native is my Sandalwood, a beautiful specimen plant (i have 6). I grew cassia and acacia close by for them to parasite. The host cassia and acacia have since died and the Sandalwood are parasiting something else. Not sure what, as there is carob , jacaranda and queen palm nearby. The Sandalwood produce much fruit, and grow very well.
So , good luck , look around the local bush for acacia and other plants that you like , keep some seed when you see them in season, as they are your best bet for a cost effective(water cost) garden .... imo.
P.S. I also have about 20 acacia ... i cannot remember their name, very bushy, neat and tidy ,windbreak for summer wind, max height 3 metres ....from locally harvested seed , and a beautiful yellow flower for winter/spring.
P.P.S. ... my failures were because the plants didn't like the heavy clay soil. (i think)
