Re: New potential weed
- To: m*@snowcrest.net, B*@monterey.edu
- Subject: Re: New potential weed
- From: "* G* <s*@hotmail.com>
- Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 16:34:19 PST
The weed potential of ornamental plants is a real problem for all
gardeners - but particularly those in a Mediterranean climate it seem to
me. One nurseryman I know suggests dealing with the dilemma by growing
plants that are 'not quite' suited to the climate (so the likelihood of
escaping and establishing in the wild is lessened) but that goes against
the trend in gardening to reduce water usage and plant things that will
grow strong and healthy naturally.
Where I live most of the terrible environmental weeds are South African
or Australian (from other localities) - so Acacia baileyana is a problem
as is Sollya (a beautiful Western Australian creeper with blue bell
flowers) and Pittostum undulatum (wonderful fragrance) Other terrible
weeds include blackberry, allium (angled onion grass), oxalis, wandering
jew, ivy, plectranthus, agapanthus, polygala, and 'Bone Seed'.
In a foreshore revegetation project that I am running a volunteer
community group is gradually working to remove the weeds and replant
indigenous plants that have been squeezed out by stronger competitors.
What we are finding is that while many of the larger trees and shrubs
have been able to hang on but most of the smaller bulbs, perennials,
herbs and shrubs have disappeared. One of the debates we are having is
whether we should mulch and replant or allow seed in the soil to
germinate and hope that some of them are original natives.
As a gardener interested in new and different plants one of the risks is
that I will grow something that turns into a weed - I don't know of any
fool proof way of dealing with this other than being careful and
vigilant about the behaviour of new plants and removing potential
problems - but it is an ongoing tension.
Any other thoughts or ideas about how to manage the problem from a
gardeners perspective would be appreciated
>if the weeds were unchecked, it would be interesting to see the
>habitats affected in 1,000 years!
>Anyways, like i said, i have only seen the yellow flowered species of
>Albizzia. I havent seen julibrissin yet in the wild.Also, Acacia
>baileyana is a weed here as well......a local school has a small "wood"
>of these trees (one i used to climb as a kid!). Theyve spread over to a
>percolation lot. There used to be a lot of scotch broom plants there
>too. Also at that school were a couple of pathetic looking manzanitas
>that have gotten continual trampling (just a small branch with a few
>twigs and leaves).
>
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> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*in the game of love you reap what you
>sow*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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