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A G U I D E F O R G A R D E N E R S I N T H E G R E A T E R S Y D N E Y D I S T R I C T

A G U I D E F O R G A R D E N E R S I N T H E G R E A T E R S Y D N E Y D I S T R I C T

P R O T E C T I N G O U R B U S H L A N DP R O T E C T I N G O U R B U S H L A N D

4241.GrowMeInstead-2 30:6:2005 9:02 AM Page 1

ContentsIntroduction 3-4

Protecting our bushland 5

The value of bushland 6

You can make a difference 7-9

Cootamundra Wattle/Alternatives 10-11

Mt Morgan Silver Wattle/Alternatives 12-13

Box Elder/Alternatives 14-15

Cocos Island or Queen Palm/Alternatives 16-17

Climbing Asparagus/Alternatives 18-19

Butterfly Bush or Summer Lilac/Alternatives 20-21

Monbretia/Alternatives 22-23

Scotch or common broom/Alternatives 24-25

Lantana or Shrub Verbena/Alternatives 26-27

Formosa Lily/Alternatives 28-29

Black Eyed Susan/Alternatives 30-31

Sycamore maple/Alternatives 32-33

English Ivy/Alternatives 34-35

Common Holly/Alternatives 36-37

Golden Bells/Alternatives 38-39

White arum lily/Alternatives 40-41

Mirror plant/Alternatives 42-43

Stopping the spread of Invasive Garden Plants 44-45

Acknowledgments 46-47

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This guide is produced because…

Many of the plants that have become invasive have come fromprivate gardens. By selecting plants carefully at your local nurseryor garden centre or from the alternative plants suggested here youcan achieve an environmentally ‘friendly’ garden and in so doing,help preserve indigenous species and habitat for native fauna.

The list has been developed with the assistance of various land andwater conservation groups, councils and NGINA to identify thoseplants that already have a damaging effect in our environment andalso those that have potential to become a major problem in thepresent and not too distant future!

This booklet targets an initial focus group of plants recognised asinvasive of Sydney bushland and known as “garden escapes”. Yourgarden may already contain some of these or there may be othersthat have the same potential to become escapes. Your vigilance inhelping control invasive plants is the best possible outcome thisbooklet can produce.

There is also a small number of suggestions of either Australian ornon-Australian origin as alternative choices for your gardenplantings, no doubt your garden centre or nursery will offer youmore. Please question suggestions or your own choices as to thepotential for these to become invasive.

The Sydney Basin contains different bioregions, which meanseach region differs from the other in soil type and climate andeven in the plants and animals it supports.

To halt the threat of garden escapes and preserve the naturalbeauty of our environment now and into the future, a unifiedeffort by local nurseries, local councils and other governmentagencies such as NSW Agriculture and bush regeneration groupsis necessary.

“Stopping the spread of Invasive Plants”, a Natural HeritageTrust project developed by the former Hawkesbury NepeanCatchment Management Trust focused on the HawkesburyNepean landscape but it is applicable Sydney wide.

Introduction


4

This Grow Me Instead Program (formerly “DiscoveringAlternatives to Garden Escapes”) is co-ordinated by theNursery & Garden Industry Australia with the express purpose of:

� Identifying plants grown and sold within the nursery industrythat are considered invasive to the environment.

� Identifying suitable alternative suggestions, of both introducedand Australian species where possible.

� Educating the community through the nursery network sothat propagation and sale of invasive plants eventually ceases.

The Important IssueW H A T I S A W E E D ?

A weed is a plant growing where it is not wanted. Anyplant, including ferns or algae can become a weed. Weedspose a threat to the environment, can adversely impact onhuman or animal health or cause crop or stock losses.

It should be understood that this project deals only withgarden plant escapes in the greater Sydney Basin. It is notintended for use beyond this region.

It is hoped that in time this or similar projects willencompass the state, region by region and eventually at aNational level.

It cannot be repeated often enough that weeds and gardenplant escapes are extremely regional. What may be aproblem in one area, or even one state, may not be so inanother. This is why it is so important to check each plantselection with your local council or NSW Department ofPrimary Industries to ensure that it is not a potentialproblem of your area or region.


5

Protecting our bushlandMuch of the unique character of the Sydney region is derivedfrom its natural landscape – beautiful waterways and bushland.

This bushland provides habitat, recreational opportunities, clean airand water for our pleasure and much of what inhibits or damages itoften goes unnoticed!

Help protect it by choosing plants that will behave themselves andnot escape beyond the confines of your garden fence.

Many of the plants innocently introduced from other parts of theworld, as well as plants of Australian origin transposed beyondtheir region, now pose a real threat to the long-term health of ourenvironment. This occurs because in adapting to a new bioregionthere may be a lack of natural influences to keep a plant in check orthe conditions prove ‘too good’ and growth and/or reproductionbecomes rampant when compared to that plant’s natural area wherethis was not so.

Garden escapes can infiltrate and damage bushland irrespective ofdistance as seeds are carried by wind, the movement of soil and waterrun-off and ingestion by and later dispersal by birds or small mammals.

Vehicles also transport seed and people unsuspectingly carry seedsin clothing. So no matter where you live, invasive plants listedhere or those classified noxious by your council and perhapsgrowing in your garden, can have an adverse effect on bushland.

These plants are often very good at out-competing local speciesdestroying biodiversity, as well as fauna habitat. They establishquickly from either seed or illegally dumped garden waste and growrapidly to produce prolific quantities of seed, suckers or bulbs.

Once established these plant escapes are difficult andexpensive to control or eradicate.

Please note that not all the invasive plants listed are introducedspecies, some are Australian native plants that becomeenvironmental weeds when planted outside the area where theyoccur naturally and sometimes even within their natural range.

Many bush invaders are also attractive to the uninitiated gardenerand have great appeal as garden plants.

But, don’t be misled! This booklet selects the worst of thosestill being commonly grown and sold by nurseries, a trendthis project hopes to eliminate!


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The value of bushlandNatural areas of bush have been severely degraded during thepast two centuries. Much of it has disappeared, altering thelandscape to suit the immediate needs of agriculture, housingand industry.

Those few bush areas that remain are vulnerable due to themany changes caused by humans living and working in closeproximity to them!

But no matter how small, all bushland reserves need to be keptfree of environmental weeds and garden plant escapes to preventfurther propagation and distribution to other areas.

Our Australian bush, including its many surrounding waterways, ishome to a diversity of flora and fauna that deserves to survive theintrusion of human intervention. It provides us with areas ofrecreational pleasure and largely provides ‘breathing’ space forthousands of lives in urban development.

Varying climates, soil structures and topography make for a uniquelandscape that creates specific bioregions and micro- climates acrossthe Australian continent. In poetry, referred to as ‘this wide brownland’, it presents us with heartbreaking ‘droughts and flooding rains’but, it also gives us the opportunity to correct the mistakes of thepast and create better conservation practices for the future.

Keeping our eucalyptus, wattles, waratahs, grevilleas and the manyother wonderful Australian plants where they belong, withoutfurther degradation, is a matter of consequence for us all.

Help care for them by ‘stopping the spread of invasive plants andgarden plant escapes’.

Pandorea pandorana ‘Golden Showers’ – Aust. Native Plant Photo: Lorna Rose


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You can make a differenceWhether a dedicated, long-term gardener or a novice, as aresident of greater Sydney you can make a difference – and hereare some ways:

� Replace any invasive garden plants with native plants thatoccur naturally in your area or, select non-native speciesknown to be non-invasive.

� Share your garden space with our wild creatures. Protect eventhe smallest by providing lizards or frogs with some rocks asrefuge from domestic pets.

� Use either Australian or non-Australian plants to providenectar or seed for birds and thickets of foliage as protectionfrom large marauding birds or cats.

� Compost garden waste such as grass clippings or prunings thatmay contain seed, or dispose of them in green wastecollections provided by council.

� Eliminate seed production on plants that have potential tospread by pruning before seeds set.

� Learn to recognise, or have identified at a local nursery, anyplant you suspect is invasive and remove it from your garden.

� Join a local bush care group and receive ‘hands on’ experienceas well as up-to-date information on controls.

� Report unkempt and weed infested vacant blocks of ground tothe environmental officer of your local council.

� Encourage friends and neighbours to become involved in bushcare as ‘custodians’ of their environment by following thesame guidelines.

Of the plants targeted by this booklet, most are easily removed asseedlings by hand pulling. Larger plants may need digging out orcutting down. Ask your local nursery or garden centre forinformation on methods of control.

Ensure all material is disposed of through council green wastecollection or by thoroughly composting at high temperature todeliberately kill seed and prevent its germination.

Continued…


8

The number of bird-spread species listed in this booklet isindication enough that this plant category can pose problems,regardless of proximity or otherwise to natural bushland. Birds arehighly mobile and can transport seed across great distances.

Garden plant escapes can become weeds that dominate naturalvegetation and infest and choke waterways. They prevent theregeneration of naturally occurring native species, reducing thehabitat for native animals, biodiversity of species and severelyaltering the visual character of the landscape.

All plants, especially weeds, compete for moisture, sunlight andspace, depriving more desirable plants. Weeds increase the fuelload, making areas more fire prone or conversely they may makeareas impossible to burn so that plants dependent on occasionalfire or smoke to regenerate no longer survive there. Some evenhave the ability to secrete chemicals from their leaves and roots,making soil toxic to other more desirable plants.

In outer rural areas of the Sydney Basin, offices of NSWDepartment of Primary Industries may be of help in identifyingplants of concern.

Councils have Environmental or Weeds Officers that can helpwith your enquiry or take any dubious specimen to your nearestbotanical garden such as Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, MtTomah or Mt Annan.

Your environmental future and that of succeeding generations isdependent on our ability to correct the mistakes of the past. Be apart of helping to protect our environment and its uniquebushland so that future generations will be able to experience thepleasure of its natural beauty.

How you can become more involved…

Being involved in your environment, caring for the naturallandscape can be rewarding experience and a totally absorbingone! It can lead to the entire family participating, but never feelthat as just one person you can’t make a difference!

May we remind you of the old rhyme:

“little drops of water and little grains of sand, make the mightyocean and the wide, great land”

It is in the sum of the whole that individual effort finds meaning.


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Gardeners can help protect the environment with greaterawareness of invasive plants and by following some of theguidelines set out on page 7.

Extend your love of green and growing things by joining a bushregeneration group.

You will receive training in plant and weed recognition and weedcontrol methods. As local plants regenerate and prosper yoursatisfaction and enthusiasm will grow beyond expectations.

You’ll embrace new friendships with like-minded folk along theway!

The following web sites are educational and informative. Accessmay be gained through your local library if you do not have yourown facility.

• www.sydneyweeds.org.au• www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/weeds• www.weeds.org.au

Hymenosporum flavum – Australian Native Plant Photo: Lorna Rose


G A R D E N E S C A P E

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Cootamundra WattleAcacia baileyana – Australian Native Plant

Very popular garden wattle with fine, feathery foliage ofeye-catching silvery-grey as well as soft balls of goldenflower.

Another native plant proven invasive outside its naturalregion.

H O W I T S P R E A D S

� Seeds spread by birds rapidly germinate.

� Cross pollinises the already endangeredDowny Wattle (Acacia pubescens),putting it at further risk of extinction.

Help stop the spread of this wattle by discouraging theiruse in gardens and by planting the alternatives listedhere.

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Photo: Lorna Rose


G R O W M E I N S T E A D

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Coastal MyallAcacia binervia – Australian Native Plant

A good garden plant in theSydney Basin as one natural tothe Blue Mts, CumberlandPlain and Hornsby Plateau.Grows to 10m x 4m.An ideal shade tree with silver-grey foliage and golden,spring blossom.

Blue BushAcacia covenyi – Australian Native Plant

Obviously the ‘blue’ foliage ofthis small 8m wattle makes itan ideal garden plant for theSydney region. Found mostly in specialistnative plant nurseries.

Sallow or Sally WattleAcacia floribunda – Australian Native Plant

An ideal privacy plant withgreen foliage rather thansilvery grey or blue, growingrapidly to 8m, remaining verybushy. Pale yellow, flowersperk up the winter garden.

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: © Murray FaggAust. National Botanic Gardens

Photo: Lorna Rose



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Mt Morgan Silver WattleAcacia podalyriifolia – Australian Native Plant

Natural to the north coast of NSW and QLD, this small5m tree has become invasive outside its region. The silverygrey foliage has been its main attraction as a garden plant.


� It produces masses of seedpods thatripen on the tree and disperse.

� These seeds have a high rate ofgermination.

� Birds help the spread of seeds.

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Photo: Lorna Rose


��G R O W M E I N S T E A D

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Coastal MyallAcacia binervia – Australian Native Plant

A good garden plant in theSydney Basin as one natural tothe Blue Mts, CumberlandPlain and Hornsby Plateau.Grows to 10m x 4m.An ideal shade tree with silver-grey foliage and golden,spring blossom.

Blue BushAcacia covenyi – Australian Native Plant

Obviously the ‘blue’ foliage ofthis small 8m wattle makes itan ideal garden plant for theSydney region. Found mostly in specialistnative plant nurseries.

Sallow or Sally WattleAcacia floribunda – Australian Native Plant

An ideal privacy plant withgreen foliage rather thansilvery grey or blue, growingrapidly to 8m, remaining verybushy. Pale yellow, flowersperk up the winter garden.

Photo: Lorna Rose


Photo: Lorna Rose



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Box ElderAcer negundo

Silver and gold variegated forms also revert back to thisgreen form. All grow to 9m to form pretty deciduousshade trees. The mass of seeds produced has made thema major bushland invader.


� Produces masses of ‘winged’ seedcarried readily on winds.

� Seeds germinate rapidly in gardens,guttering, gaps in paving and drivewaysetc.

� Wind transfers them from garden tobushland, parks and reserves.

� Removal of these invasive plants is bothdifficult and very costly.

Nurseries and garden centres must be discouraged fromproducing and selling this plant and fertile variegatedforms. Garden owners are advised to choose from the listof alternative plants.

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Photo: Macbird Floraprint



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Sensation MapleAcer negundo ‘Sensation’

A fruitless (ie. sterile) form ofAcer negundo, which hasbetter branching structure andbrilliant autumn colouring.Tolerates heat and drought, ingood conditions may growbeyond 10m in height.

Claret AshFraxinus oxycarpa ‘Raywood’

An Australian hybrid, this 10-15m tree is deciduous.Feather-shaped leaves turnclaret red in autumn. Neat, medium sized tree forgarden or street planting.

TupeloNyssa sylvatica

Decorative, deciduous treewith flat, mid-green leavesturning brilliant colours inautumn. Almost pyramidal shape,rarely exceeds 10-15m as alovely garden tree.

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Photo: Flemings Nurseries, Victoria

Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose



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Cocos Island or Queen PalmSyagrus romanzoffianum

Popular since the fifties as an inexpensive, fast growingpalm for new gardens, their over-use has created a bloton the landscape and the environment.

Growing up to 12m tall, their stems can give theappearance of a garden planted with telegraph poles!

H O W T H E Y S P R E A D :

� They produce a multitude of seedattractive to larger birds, possums andbats, through which the spread isaccomplished.

� Seeds are quick to germinate and plantsare well established by the time theybecome visible in the bush. Removal isdifficult and expensive.

� Seeds also move through storm waterchannels and drains to germinate manymiles from the original plant.

If you own this palm try to remove as many seeds andseedling plants as possible. Better still, choose from thealternative palms listed here to replace existing Cocos palms.

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Photo: Lorna Rose



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Cabbage PalmLivistona australis – Australian Native Plant

This palm has long stems ofdark-green, fan shaped frondsand grows to 12m. Hardy fromthe coast to the edge of themountains. Dead fronds takesome time to drop.

Alexander PalmArchontophoenix alexandrae – Australian Native Plant

Smooth, pale-green shafts at thebase of feathery, drooping fronds,slightly grey on the under sides.The stem shows rings of leafscars. From north Qld and bestsuited to warm zones. Grows between 10-15m only.

Bangalow PalmArchontophoenix cunninghamiana – Australian Native Plant

This 10m palm has distinctsilvery undersides to the largefeather-shaped fronds. As a rainforest palm it is best suited towarm, frost-free zones. Smoothstem with close, horizontal leafscars. Seeds attract lorikeets tothe garden.

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose



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Fox Tail FernAsparagus densiflorus cv Myers

Climbing AsparagusAsparagus densiflorus cv Sprenger

Most varieties of asparagusferns for home and garden useare now classified noxious bymany government agenciesand councils. Soft or fern-likefoliage makes them attractiveto the uninitiated gardener.Sadly, from gardens theyescaped to the wild by various means and are now a huge problem in bushland.

H O W T H E Y S P R E A D

� Garden waste dumpings contain seedsand rhizomes that quickly take hold.

� Colourful berries are ingested andspread by birds.

� The movement of soil or water carriesthe rapidly produced rhizomes and seeds.

� All forms are difficult to eradicate fromeither garden or bushland.

In bushland these ferns overtake natural species bydeveloping extremely dense thickets that deprive otherplants of light as well as destroying habitat for fauna.

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Hen & Chicken FernAsplenium bulbiferum – Australian Native Plant

Erect and very hardy fern withsoft, vivid-green fronds. New plants form on frondtips. Grows to about 1m.

Prickly Rasp FernDoodia aspera – Australian Native Plant

Forms clumps of mid-green30cm fronds with bright pinknew growth making it anattractive garden plant in lightsun or shade. Likes acidic soilwith lots of leaf litter but willadapt to most soils.

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose



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Butterfly Bush orSummer LilacBuddleia davidii

Who would think that this plant with its delightful namescould become an environmental weed?

Arching stems carry sprays of tiny gold throated, mauveflowers in spring and summer, attractive to butterflies.Popular as a quick growing privacy plant.


� Seeds are spread by wind and water.

� Dumpings of garden prunings easilytake root.

� The plant grows readily in damp areasto create shady thickets crowding outnatural species and destroying habitat.

Discourage the use of this plant in gardens and choosefrom others that will prove more environmentallyfriendly while at the same time still attracting butterflies.

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RondeletiaRondeletia amoena

Clustered tiny, pink buds open toscented, creamy white, springflowers, attracting bees. Needsfree-draining soil, sheltered siteprotected from extreme cold orfrost. Prune after flowering toreduce ultimate size.

Lasiandra or PrincessFlowerTibouchina urvilleana ‘Alstonville’

Evergreen 6m shrub with showy,purple flowers makes this an idealprivacy plant. Suits free draining,enriched acid soils in sheltered,sunny position. Many varietiesoffer variable flower colour andheights.

Californian LilacCeanothus papillosus ‘Blue Pacific’

Evergreen 3m shrub (not a truelilac) from warm, western USA,but enjoys cold winters. It hasspikes of clustered, vivid blueflowers and shiny dark-greenleaves. Suits gravelly soils and a sunny,N.E. aspect (eg. against a wall).

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose




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MonbretiaCrocosmia x crocosmiiflora

Bulbous South African plant, long arching spikes ofspring/summer orange flowers, dying down in winter.Thrives almost anywhere in any soil.


� Each bulb reproduces at least a dozenbulblets – each one makes a new plant tospread rapidly in gardens.

� The movement of storm water and soildistributes bulbs into bushland andalong the banks of rivers and streams.

� Infestations replace plant life natural tothe area.

Stop the spread of this invasive garden plant bydiscouraging its planting in gardens.

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Photo: Lorna Rose



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Scarborough LilyValotta speciosa (syn Cyrtanthus elatus)

Uncommon bulb plant withstrappy leaves. Has 5-6 funnel shaped, bright,clear-red summer flowers. Multiplies slowly, suitable forgarden or pot culture. Likes sun or dappled shade.

Blue Flax Lily (Paroo lily)Dianella caerulea – Australian Native Plant

Natural to eastern coastlinethis plant forms clumps oflong dark-green leaves 60cm high. Tall stems of blue, starryflowers followed by blueberries attract birds. Likes sun and is frost resistant.

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose



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Scotch or common broomCytisus scoparius

Declared noxious weed in SA, WA, and parts of NSW, VIC and Tasmania. Bright yellow pea-type flowers persist over summer.


� Each flower produces a pod of five toeight seeds.

� Summer ripened seeds explode from thepod as a scattering mechanism.

� Seed is carried by livestock, humans andthe movement of soil or by floodwaters.

� The seeds are viable for long periods oftime contributing to succeedinggenerations of plants.

This plant can arrive in your garden as an uninvited guestand often the tendency is to let it remain because of thebright flowers. Please resist the temptation and scrub it out!

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Photos: Anne Bowman



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Golden HoneymyrtleMelaleuca bracteata ‘Revolution Gold’ – Australian Native Plant

This beautiful golden foliagedAustralian native plant to 3mbrings colour all year round. Requires free draining soil anda sunny position but willaccept light shaded areas.

Golden ForsythiaForsythia x intermedia

Grows best in colder parts ofthe Sydney Basin, a deciduousbush to 4m. Bare winter stems burst forthgolden yellow bells in earlyspring. Prune immediatelyafter flowering.

Other suggestions: Banksia ericifolia orGrevillea Honey Gem

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose



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Lantana hybridsLantana camara hybrids

Posy-like, brightly coloured, clustered flowers of pink,yellow, red or mauve. Robust shrubs with rough-to-the-touch stems and leaves. Planted alongside fences orletterboxes they thrive on neglect and little water. Given better conditions they become rampant!


� Spread is increased by cross-pollinationwith common lantana.

� Dumped garden prunings easily take root.

� Over-grows natural vegetation.

� Destroys habitat and biodiversity.

The common form of lantana is a noxious weed, thesehybrid forms are quickly becoming invasive and bothtypes are costly and difficult to eliminate.

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Elwyn Swane



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Rock RoseCistus x hybridus

Small, drought tolerant, compact(1.5m) shrubs have many coloursof flower. Prune often to keepdense. Sage-like to broad leafforms. Requires free drainingsoil and full sun in dry climates.

VeronicaHebe cultivars

Small to medium size, dense,glossy leaved, salt tolerantplants good for coastalconditions, resents frost.Summer flower spikes of white,pink or blue-mauve. Suits mass-plantings and low hedges.

Lilly Pilly, Eugenia,MyrtleSyzygium luehmannii dwarf hybrids – Australian Native Plants

Shiny foliage, powder-puffwhite or pink flowers followedby fleshy fruits. Great gardenplants in mixed height range.Varieties include ‘Crunchy’,‘Minipilly’ or ‘Tiny Trev’ andothers to suit any specific need.

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose




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Formosa LilyLilium formosanum

This bulb from Taiwan has infiltrated bush, reserves,parks & verges of roads.

Trumpet shaped flowers are similar to but not the sameas the cultivated garden bulb called ‘Christmas’,‘November’, or ‘St Joseph’s Lily’ (Lilium longiflorum).

Formosa lily is an invasive bulb with reedy stems about1m tall with mid-green leaves. Flowers streaked purpleon the outside rib of the petals. These appear latespring/early summer. Hence some confusion withLilium longiflorum.


� The plant seeds readily, scattered by thelong willowy stem as it moves easily onthe breeze.

� Seeds germinate readily and bublets also spread through soil and movementof water.

You can stop the spread of this plant by not transplantingbulbs or plants from the bush and by discouraging friendsand neighbours from growing it in gardens.

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Photo: Burke’s Backyard C.T.C. Productions



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Swamp LilyCrinum pedunculatum –Australian Native Plant

Rosette of broad leaves andclusters of white, highly fragrant,flowers on 1m stems. Suits anysoil, full sun or dappled shade,mildly frost tolerant. Grows well near ponds or indamp places. Protect from windin coastal gardens.

Day LilyHemerocallis species.

Day lilies are either evergreen ordeciduous, can be tall, medium ordwarf with double or singleflowers. Wide colour range, early,mid or late flowering seasons.Generous clumps of strappyleaves, tall flower stems.

Amazon or Eucharist LilyEucharis x grandiflora (syn E. amazonica)

Forms a thick clump of broadleaves with pure white, highlyfragrant, daffodil like blooms. Likessummer humidity, warm wintersand well-drained soil with addedcompost/leaf litter and fertiliser inspring. Can be grown in pots.

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose



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Black Eyed SusanThunbergia alata

A persistent climber flowers prolifically when young, lessas it ages.

By then it has replaced itself by seeding after the brightorange, black-throated summer flowers finish.


� Produces an abundant amount of rapidgerminating seed.

� Spread easily by garden wastedumpings.

� Seeds dispersed by birds.

This creeper no doubt is bright and cheerful during itsflowering period but it is well to remember that the seedsdispersed by birds make it yet another bushland invader.

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Photo: Lorna Rose



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Snake VineHibbertia scandens – Australian Native Plant

Shrubby climber with brightgolden, open-faced flowers, forfences or covering embankments. Thrives in sandy well-drainedsoils. Grows as a shrub withsupport and regular tip pruning.

Virgin’s BowerClematis aristata – Australian Native Plant

The best known native clematis.Profuse spring/summer creamy-white flowers followed by smalldecorative fruits. Best in dappled shade for summerprotection. Displays well onfences or rough walls.

Golden ShowersPandorea pandorana ‘Golden Showers’ – Australian Native Plant

More colourful than common‘wonga wonga’ vine (P. pandorana)has clusters of small trumpet-shaped yellow flowers. Dense foliage and rapid growththat happily covers pergola, trellisor shed to 6m.

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose



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Sycamore mapleAcer pseudoplatanus

A large deciduous tree with palm-shaped lobed leaves isanother example of a garden plant escaped to ourenvironment. Pendulous flower clusters turn to massesof winged seed.


� Through an abundance of winged seedseasily carried on wind.

� Seeds quickly germinate to establish inbushland reserves.

� Developing plants are not easily seenuntil large and then are difficult andcostly to remove.

Replacement of this tree by species that do not set fertileseed is encouraged.

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The following three garden escapes are applicable in theHighlands region only.

Photo: Barbara Harley



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Tulip treeLiriodendron tulipifera

A beautiful, deciduous tree to 20m. Mid-green leaves offour lobes, turn golden yellowin autumn. The tulip-like,summer flowers are greenwith an orange band. Slender but useful shade tree. N.B. Variegated form shown.

TupeloNyssa sylvatica

A deciduous tree prized forbrilliant gold and red autumncolour even in warmer zones.Pyramidal in shape, it rarelyexceeds 10-15m and makes alovely garden tree.

Scarlet OakQuercus coccinea

A deciduous, broadlyspreading tree to 25m in coldclimates, less in warmer zones. Long, glossy, dark-green,deeply lobed, toothed leavesturn bright red in autumn.

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Flemings Nurseries, Vic.



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English IvyHedera helix

Large, dark-green, lobed leaves on a tightly clingingvine used unsuspectingly to cover brick walls, or shedsor as ground cover beneath trees. Without pruningcontrol, it smothers everything, debilitates trees andsets a lot of seed.


� Sets a prolific amount of black seedberries attractive to birds and quicklyspread by them.

� Tenacious and invasive aerial roots clingto trees smothering the bark.

� Aerial roots destroy mortar joints.� Clippings of excess growth easily take

root when dumped on unused ground orbushland areas.

✗✗


Applicable in the Highlands region only.



35


Star JasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides

Suits either full shade, semi-shadeor full sun. A dense covering forfence, pergola or trellis has glossy,dark-green leaves. Scented white,star shaped, summer flowers. Yellow flowered and variegatedleaf forms also available.

Gum VineAphanopetalum resinosum – Australian Native Plant

Dense, vigorous climber withdark-green almost pointed leaves,bluntly toothed. Small, greenishflowers expand as their seedmatures. Suits well composted butfree draining soil and adapts tolight shade.

Native GrapeCissus antarctica – Australian Native Plant

Climber grown for its lobed anddentate mid-green foliage. Flowers are insignificant. This variety and other cultivarscan be found in indoor plantsections of nurseries but it ishardy outdoors.

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Photo: Elwyn Swane


Photo:Unknown



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Common HollyIlex aquifolium

Slow growing when young but can reach a massive 20m(65ft) in maturity.

Glossy, dark-green leaves are spiny and sharply toothed.Bright-red winter berries occur only after pollinationbetween male and female plants.


� There are always enough male andfemale plants to assure berries.

� Birds and small mammals ingest berriesand are then spread by them.

� Seedlings and maturing plants are costlyand difficult to remove.

� Berries of species such as cotoneasterand firethorn (Pyracantha) are spread inthe same manner.

� All are quickly established and must beavoided.

While berried plants add texture to the garden it is timewe avoided those that so readily naturalise in bushland.

✗✗

Photo: Elwyn Swane

Applicable in the Highlands region only.



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Fragrant Olive orholly osmanthusOsmanthus heterophyllus

Similar in looks to holly, withmid-green, finely toothed leavesand small but highly scentedflowers. Can be grown as a tree(4m), an informal hedge orespaliered. Requires gooddrainage, moisture in summer.

SasanquaCamellia sasanqua

This hardy camellia type has awide range of heights, colours andflower form. Both sun hardy or shade tolerantit requires enriched acid soil andgood drainage.

Powder Puff Lilly PillySyzygium wilsonii – Australian Native Plant

3m shrub has bright pink springgrowth that turns shiny, dark-green. Bunches of large, red pom-pom flowers in spring/summer, then white fleshy fruitattractive to birds. Some shade orshelter required when young, alsogood in containers.

��


Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: © D. GreigAust. National Botanic Gardens



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Golden BellsTecoma stans

South American plant with lance-like, mid-green scalyleaves in pinnate form. (ie like a feather). Yellow trumpetshaped flowers have fine lines of red within the mouthand on upper lobes of the trumpet.


� Produces masses of long pea-like podspacked with seed.

� The seeds are scattered by birds andcarried by the movement of soil andwater.

� Seeds readily germinate to infiltratebushland reserves and parks.

This plant is already a substantial weed of theHawkesbury Sandstone and Cumberland Plain regionand has been a commonly grown garden plant. Its usemust be stopped.

✗✗

The following two garden escapes are applicable to theHawkesbury Sandstone region only.




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Fringed wattleAcacia fimbriata – Australian Native Plant

Bushy 7m tree with fine, dark-green leaves, making bronzetips in spring and perfumed,pale lemon to golden flowerballs. Suits a variety of soilswith good drainage.

Native FrangipaniHymenosporum flavum – Australian Native Plant

Clusters of scented, creamyyellow flowers cover the treein spring amid shiny, dark-green leaves. Will not grow much beyond10-15m in the garden butmuch taller in the wild.Reasonable frost tolerance.

Golden ForsythiaForsythia x intermedia

Best for colder parts of theSydney Basin, a deciduous bushto 4m useful as hedging. Bare winter stems burst forthgolden yellow bells in earlyspring. Cut back immediatelyafter flowering.

��

Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose



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White arum lilyZantedeschia aethiopica

This white, spathed and perfumed lily widely used in floristryhas engulfed gutters, streams, waterways and wetland bogsand is now a widespread, environmental weed!


� Produces a prolific amount of seed.

� These wash down gutters and streamsand germinate readily.

� Birds and small mammals also dispersethe seeds through their droppings.

� Any moist soil will be quickly infiltrated.

The use of this plant must be discouraged within floristryand for the home garden. Its spread must be stopped.

✗✗

Photos: Lorna Rose

NB: Zantedeschia elliottiana (inset) is not a recommended species, as itwill also spread.

Applicable to Hawkesbury Sandstone region only.



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Calla lilyZantedeschia Calla Hybrids

Dwarf hybrid forms useful forfloristry in colours from pale pinkto red, pale gold to orange.Spotted, dark green leaves diedown in winter. Need rich, well-drained soil.

Swamp LilyCrinum pedunculatum – Australian Native Plant

Rosette of broad leaves withclusters of white, highly fragrantflowers on 1m stems. Suits almost any soil, full sun ordappled shade, mildly frosttolerant. Good beside ponds or indamp places.

Amazon orEucharist LilyEucharis x grandiflora (syn E. amazonica)

Uncommon lily with thicklyclumped broad leaves. Pure white,scented, daffodil-like blooms.Likes summer humidity, warmwinters and well-drained soil withadded compost/leaf litter, fertiliserin spring. Can be grown in pots.

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Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose

Photo: Lorna Rose



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Mirror plantCoprosma repens

New Zealand plant with dense, dark-green, very glossyleaves that almost carry a reflection. Very salt resistantand widely used for coastal plantings.


� Where several plants exist they cross-pollinate and then bear light-red berries.

� These berries are attractive to birds anddistributed effectively by them.

� Seeds within the berries germinaterapidly.

� The plant easily takes root from gardenwaste dumpings.

✗✗

This garden escape is applicable to coastal zones only.

Photo: Lorna Rose



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BoobiallaMyoporum insulare – Australian Native Plant

Compact 4m bush covered withfleshy leaves from ground to top.Tiny white, spring flowersfollowed by fleshy, purple berries.Drought and frost tolerant itwithstands coastal sites. Gooddrainage necessary.

Lilly PillyAcmena smithii – Australian Native PlantHybrid dwarf forms

Lilly Pilly now comes in many hybridforms with varying heights. Brightpink spring leaves develop to shiny,dark-green foliage. Fluffy balls ofcreamy summer flowers, followed bypink to purple, rounded fruits popularwith birds and small mammals.

Pohutukawa or NZ Christmas BushMetrosideros excelsa

Evergreen shrub to 3m, useful forseaside gardens. Glossy, dark-green leaves are a densebackground to the brilliant red,powder-puff like flowers. Rarelysuffers pest or disease problems.

��

Photo: Lorna Rose


Photo: Lorna Rose


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Stopping the spread ofInvasive Garden PlantsA I M S

� To establish the Nursery & Garden Industry NSW and ACTas a proactive and self regulatory force in determining itsfuture in regard to the control of invasive species withoutneed of government legislation.

� To encourage all producers and sellers of garden plants togenuinely commit to the termination of propagation andsale of plant material known to be invasive of natural bushlandscapes.

� To have nurseries cooperate with and fully commit to thework of weed advisory committees, councils, land-care andbush regeneration groups on a regional basis to eliminateinvasive plants specific to each area.

� To educate and encourage the gardening and non-gardening public to be mindful of their obligations to thenatural landscape of this country in eliminating fromgardens, plants either Australian native or non nativespecies, now known to be invasive and to evaluate plantchoices on potential invasiveness.

O B L I G A T I O N S

� To improve the standards of the landscape, nursery andgarden industry through accreditation and professionalconduct, to guarantee invasive plants are not grown, sold orplanted, resulting in greater awareness of, and informationto consumers in regard to invasive species.

� To commit this industry to the restoration andrehabilitation of natural bushland through the preventionof propagation, importation, movement and sale of invasiveplant species.

S T R A T E G I E S

� Implement an active policy within the nursery and gardenindustry to prohibit propagation and sale of plants knownto be invasive and monitor plants that display positiveinvasive characteristics.


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� Co-operatively work with relevant land and bush careagencies as well as NSW Agriculture toward earlydetection, prevention, use and circulation of invasivespecies as the most effective control in the protection ofnatural landscapes.

� Liaise with AQIS and NSW Department of PrimaryIndustries to achieve better control of plant imports withinthe nursery and garden industry through consultation andconcilliation, thereby reducing the import of potentialinvasives.

� To help prohibit the movement of plants not consideredinvasive in one state or region from import to the State ofNSW where they are known to be invasive throughinteraction with other states.

� Establish cooperative communication with plant breedersand hybridists to ensure new hybrids and cultivars arethoroughly trialled and tested through a range of climatesand soils to reduce incidence of accidental invasiveness.

� Establish and administer effective education of qualifiedand non-qualified nursery staff as well as purchasingofficers and staff working throughout hardware chains anddepartment store garden centres, in regard to thecatastrophic results of invasive garden plants in bushland.

� Establish public awareness of invasive plants throughgarden clubs, workshops, print and television advertisingcampaigns and the horticultural media, includingpublishers, authors, writers, photographers, presenters ofgarden programs on radio and television.

� As part of this industry’s commitment to extend the fullestsupport to all agencies involved in the work of bushregeneration and rehabilitation through whatever meansare available to “Stopping the spread of invasive plants”.

� To support research into invasive plants, their means ofreproduction and dispersal as well as possible biological orcost effective means of control.

� To reduce the cost to the community of crop and stocklosses in controlling weeds and garden plant escapes, nowestimated to cost between 4 and 6 billion dollars annually.


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AcknowledgmentsThe Nursery and Garden Industry NSW & ACT wish to thank all past andpresent members of the Discovering Alternatives to Garden Escapes (DAGEcommittee) and Grow Me Instead (GMI) Program, for their contribution oftime, expertise and knowledge in assisting with this garden plant escapes project.

They include: � Mr Peter Gorham – Regional Coordinator Weeds, NSW Department of

Primary Industries� M/s Cheryl Bate and M/s Rosanna Luca – Sydney North and Sydney

West-Blue Mts Regional Weeds Committees� M/s Jo Lynch – Sydney Central and South West Sydney Regional Weeds

Committees� Mrs Sue Martin – Environmental Education Officer, Baulkham Hills

Shire Council� Mrs Nikki Greenyer – Member Australian Association of Bush Regenerators� Mr Phil Murphy – Natural Resources Officer, Parramatta City Council � Mr Paul Marynissen – Noxious Weeds Officer, Hornsby Shire Council � Miss Virginia Bear – Little Gecko Bushland Management Consultancy� Mr Peter Dixon – Executive Officer, Sydney Metropolitan Catchment

Management Authority� Mrs Judith Rawling – Restoration Ecologist, Urban Bushland Management

Consultants� Mr Rudi Fabian – Garden Centre Development Officer, NGINA� Mr Michael Danelon – Nursery Industry Development Officer, NGINA� Mr Don Ainsworth – former CEO, NGINA� Miss Elwyn Swane MAIH, Project Coordinator DAGE and Grow Me

Instead, NGINA

NGINA and the DAGE & GMI projects are indebted to the enormouscontribution made by government agencies and local councils for theircooperation and funding for the duration of the project and offer our sincerethanks to each of the following:� Australian Association of Bush Regenerators� Baulkham Hills Shire Council� Blue Mountains City Council� Cooperative Research Centre for Weeds� Campbelltown City Council� Cattai Catchment Management Committee� Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources� Hawkesbury City Council � Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority� Hornsby Shire Council � Horticulture Australia Limited� Ku-ring-gai Council


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� Liverpool City Council� Manly Council � Mosman Municipal Council � Natural Heritage Trust� North Sydney Council � NSW Department of Primary Industries� Nursery and Garden Industry NSW & ACT� Parramatta City Council � Pittwater Natural Heritage Trust Association� Randwick City Council � Sydney Central and South West Sydney Regional Weeds Committees� Sydney North & Sydney West-Blue Mts Regional Weeds Committees� Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority� Upper Parramatta River Catchment Management Trust� Urban Bushland Management Consultants� Warringah Shire Council

We offer our thanks to some of the now non-functional catchment management‘trusts’ or ‘committees’ for their support during the time of their existence.

We are also indebted to Miss Lorna Rose for the use of her photographs inboth the booklet and websites www.sydneyweeds.org.au and www.ngia.com.auand gratefully acknowledge her support of the project.

Other photographic contributions have kindly been made by the AustralianNational Botanic Garden, Canberra, Burke’s Backyard CTC Productions,Macbird Floraprint and Fleming’s Nurseries Victoria.

NGINA gratefully acknowledge funding provided by the FederalGovernment through Horticulture Australia Limited to support theposition of the Project Co-ordinator during the extensive period of timerequired to bring the project to fruition.

Also, the NSW Minister for Environment and Conservation, The HonBob Debus, through Environmental Trust funding, made possible thepublication of the first edition of Grow Me Instead.

This second edition of Grow Me Instead is made possible throughNational Landcare Program Funding, also enabling extension of the Grow Me Instead Program through a series of educational workshops andseminars to emphasise environmental responsibility within the nursery andgarden industry and the wider community.

NGINA and the DAGE committee express their sincere thanks for thisbequest.

It is only with this assistance that we are able to bring to the public’sattention the problem of garden plants that invade and degrade ournatural landscapes.


Nursery & Garden Industry NSW & ACTABN 36 001 075 574

344-348 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill NSW 2155PO Box 3013 Rouse Hill NSW 2155

Phone: (02) 9679 1472 Fax: (02) 9679 1655Email: [email protected] @

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This project has been assisted by the New South WalesGovernment through its Environmental Trust.


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