Jan 25, 2021 | Weeds & Invasive Species
The weed of the month is a very pretty ground cover called Coral creeper (Barleria repens). With attractive pinkish red flowers that bloom year round, it’s easy to see why it has been used in coastal gardens. The problem with Coral creeper is that it is so well suited to the local conditions, it out competes most other plants, natives and exotics. Due to its ability to blanket big areas and suppress growth of other plants, Coral creeper sits in the Red zone – Remove from Gardens.
Nov 25, 2020 | Weeds & Invasive Species
November’s weed of the month Fishbone or Herringbone Fern is quite common in older style gardens. It can be seen in every suburb in Noosa and probably every street. Dumping of garden waste has helped this fern find its way into Bushland reserves. Click through to learn more about this plant and some good replacement species.
Oct 28, 2020 | Weeds & Invasive Species
The weed of the month October is the Micky mouse plant, an attractive shrub/small tree that is common in Noosa gardens. The serrated leaves have a bronze tinge when young but it is the flowers that are the most impressive. The yellow petals don’t last long but the sepals turn bright red and are very eye catching. This South African plant is spread by birds and has found its way into our bushland. It grows well in different ecosystems and so is found from the coast to the hinterland. Once Ochna is established it out-competes the native vegetation and forms dense thickets. It is also hard to kill and so is of great concern to our bushland and should be removed.
Aug 16, 2020 | Weeds & Invasive Species
The weed of the month for August is Asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus), a ground cover that can be found growing from the dunes to the hinterland. It grows well in most types of soil and can form thick masses out-competing all other vegetation. In this post, Michelle explains how the plant grows from a woody centre that needs to be removed to kill it. Pulling up the whole root system causes soil loss and disturbance that allows more weeds to grow. Click through for more images showing how to remove this weed from your garden.
Jul 24, 2020 | Weeds & Invasive Species
Weeding is a never-ending chore. Knowing how to kill weeds successfully on the first try will save time, effort and keep motivation levels up. Understanding the life cycle of the weed is important to get a successful kill, but also to use time and effort more productively. In this post, Michelle explains how different types of plants flower and seed, helping you prioritise weeding jobs and free up more time to enjoy your garden.
Jun 28, 2020 | Weeds & Invasive Species
Michelle’s weed of the month for June 2020 is the Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia elegans). In this post she explains how it affects the vulnerable Richmond Birdwing Butterfly, mistaking it for the native Richmond birdwing vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa) and laying its eggs on the toxic leaves of the Dutchman’s pipe. When the eggs hatch the larva feed and die. The dictionary definition of a weed is a plant that grows out of place, but a more accurate definition of a weed could be a plant that does harm. This month’s weed is one that fits that description.
