Josh is on Whadjuk Country, where he visits a native plant nursery to provide some local alternatives to environmental weeds that are hiding in everyday gardens.

In Australia, weeds are among the top threats to Australian biodiversity. They can displace native plant species, degrade habitat for native animals, harbour pests and disease, create fuel loads for fires and compete with native species for space, water and nutrients.

Some 65% of the exotic weedy species in Australia started out as garden plants and gardens comprise the major pool of future weeds*. Some of these can still be found for sale, which means that as gardeners, we have a crucial role to play in stopping garden escapes at their source – by choosing to grow non-invasive species instead.


Weed: Dietes, which is native to Southern Africa, has strappy leaves with white or yellow flowers on long stems. They’re tough but their seeds spread easily.

Great choice: Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos cv.) such as red-flowered ‘Bush Elegance’, pink ‘Bush Pearl’ and other colourful cultivars.

Weed: Century Plant (Agave Americana) A giant succulent that is an environmental weed in most states. It produces a tall flower spike, but then spreads via hundreds of offsets, known as ‘pups’

Great choice: Balga or grass tree (Xanthorrhoea preissii), which has tall flower spikes and eye-catching foliage. Cockatoos love to eat the seed and honeyeaters and insects love the nectar.

Weed: Even Australian species growing outside their natural range can be weeds. The Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia), is a classic example.

Great choice: In WA gardens, the Jam wattle (Acacia acuminata) is a good choice forming an open small tree with yellow flower rods and delicate, long leaves. However, this WA native is, in turn, a weed in some parts of Eastern Australia.

Please check with local authorities to see if a plant is considered an environmental weed in your area. (Remember that some native plants can also be considered a weed, depending on where you live.) Visit the Weeds Australia website for more information.


* SEE CSIRO 2005 report - Jumping the Garden Fence: http://www.spiffa.org/uploads/2/6/7/5...

See the latest content from Gardening Australia as it goes live by hitting subscribe: http://ab.co/GardeningYouTube
Watch Gardening Australia on ABC iview: http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/gard...
About Gardening Australia:
Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Presented by Australia's leading horticultural experts, Gardening Australia is a valuable resource to all gardeners through the television program, the magazine, books, DVDs and extensive online content.

Connect with other Gardening Australia fans:
Like Gardening Australia on Facebook:   / gardeningaustralia  
Follow Gardening Australia on Instagram:   / gardeningaustralia  
Visit the Gardening Australia website: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening

This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel.
********
Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use http://www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).