Many plants that have been introduced into Australia since European settlement have become weeds. Some native plants removed from their natural habitat have also developed invasive tendencies. All garden owners, but especially those living near bushland, should take responsibility for ensuring that garden plants aren’t able to escape into the bush. For more information visit www.weeds.org.au.
To minimise the risk of weed invasion:
● Avoid growing plants with weed potential.
● Avoid growing weeds with fruits that attract birds.
● Don’t dump garden refuse or lawn clippings in the bush.
● Don’t overfertilise or allow fertiliser nutrients to run into bushland or streams.
● When walking in bushland, try to stay on the cleared pathways.
● Prune free-seeding plants (such as agapanthus) immediately after flowering.
Here are examples of some garden plants that are invasive in certain climates, but there are many others with weed potential that are not included on this list. Check with local nurseries or council if in doubt.
- Agapanthus Agapanthus spp.
- Alligator weed Alternanthera philoxeroides
- Arum lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
- Blue periwinkle Vinca major
- Bridal creeper Asparagus asparagoides
- Boneseed Chrysanthemoides monilifera spp. monilifera
- Broom Cytisus ssp. and others
- Camphor laurel Cinnamomum camphora
- Cat’s claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati
- Cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus
- Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
- Cotoneaster Cotoneaster spp.
- English ivy Hedera helix
- Erigeron Erigeron karvinskianus
- Fishbone fern Nephrolepis cordifolia
- Ginger lily Hedychium gardnerianum
- Holly Ilex aquifolium
- Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica
- Horsetail Equisetum arvense, E. hyemale, E. palustre, E. ramosissimum, E. bogatensis
- Indian Hawthorn Rhaphiolepis indica
- Japanese knotweed Persicaria capitata
- Lantana Lantana camara, L. montevidensis
- Madeira vine Anredera cordifolia
- Mirror bush Coprosma repens
- Montbretia Crocosmia x crocosmifolia
- Morning glory Ipomoea indica
- Pampas grass Cortaderia spp.
- Passionfruit Passiflora edulis
- Paterson’s curse Echium plantagineum
- Peppercorn Schinus spp.
- Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum
- Privet Ligustrum spp.
- Pyracantha Pyracantha spp.
- Radiata pine Pinus radiata
- Ribbon plant Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’
- Rubber vine Cryptostegia grandiflora
- Salvinia Salvinia molesta
- Sensitive plant Mimosa pigra
- Singapore daisy Wedelia trilobata
- Thunbergia Thunbergia spp.
- Tradescantia Tradescantia fluminensis
- Watsonia Watsonia spp.
- Willow Some invasive Salix species
This information is from the Yates Garden Guide: fully revised & updated 44th edition, HarperCollins, $39.99. You can have this information and so much more at your fingertips by purchasing the Yates Garden Guide, available at all leading bookstores and Bunnings stores.
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