[Upper Yarra Mail 23 Nov 2010] ENGLISH Ivy? OK! Agapanthus?
Well, yes! Pampas Grass? Absolutely! And willows … no need to even ask. All
invasive plants; taboo plants proven to play havoc with the natural environment
– weeds! But the beautiful Butterfly Bush? Buddleja davidii Surely Australian
gardeners can't be expected to give up their Butterfly Bushes! Sadly, it's
true. All of the above and many more of the trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers
that we have embraced, nurtured and admired for generations are destroying
native bushland, wetlands and waterways.
For most gardeners, the
characteristics most desired in garden plants are the same as those that make
them 'weedy' – they're fast growing, disease resilient and reproduce easily by
seed or plant parts.
The disastrous effect of invasive species is now
well recognised and the nursery industry and the government are working together
to help the average home gardener do their bit to eradicate a growing
problem.
Grow Me Instead, a handy, informative 75 page booklet is part of
an industry-driven campaign aimed at educating nursery operators and gardeners
about plants that are potential weeds in their area and, most importantly,
suitable substitutions.
Grow Me Instead makes it easier to let go of the
beautiful Buddleja. Plant a Californian Lilac, a Snowball Tree or a Native
Hibiscus instead, it suggests.
Arum Lilly – out. Purple Flag Iris, Bird
of Paradise and calla Lilies – in.
Agapanthus – out. Swamp Lily, Dwarf
White Agapanthus and Blue Flax Lily – in.
Fountain Grass, Nassella
Grasses – out. Purple Fountain Grass, Blue Flax Lily, Paroo, Kangaroo grass –
in.
Common Holly – out. Fragrant Olive – Holly Osmanthus, Sasanqua
Camellias, Sweet Viburnum – in.
Box Elder, Sycamore Maple – out.
Sensation Maple, Claret Ash and Callery Pears – in.
Cootamundra Wattle –
out (outside its native region), instead plant Golden Honey-myrtle, Willow Leaf
Wattle or White Sallee Wattle, advises Grow Me Instead.
There is advice
and tips on how to get rid of weed plants and a list of contacts for further
information and advice. One of the features that will appeal to gardeners is
that the alternatives are not restricted to native species.
There are
still plenty of options for those gardeners who like a bit of exotic action in
their garden.
All up there are 33 weed plants identified, and 81
alternatives.