Released 01/11/2019
Canberrans can trade invasive weeds from their yards for bush-friendly natives at the free spring weed swap this weekend.
The weed swap is now in its 18th year and offers Canberrans an opportunity to trade their garden weeds for great native plants that will help our region’s ecosystem thrive.
Canberra is lucky to have many great nature reserves and parks and this program helps prevent invasive species accidently leaving our yards and affecting our environment. Invasive plants can enter bushland and compete with our native plants and force them out of their habitats.
Small trees such as wattles, shrubs including Correa, Banksia, Grevillea, bottlebrushes and Westringia are on offer at the swap, along with groundcovers like Brachyscome - rock daisy, Dianella and Poa tussock.
All the plants are supplied by local growers and are very hardy and suitable for the Canberra region.
Teams will be set up at Belconnen and Mugga Lane all weekend so bring down those weeds and check out the range of native plants available for swapping,
Quotes attributable to invasive plants program leader Steve Taylor
“Whether you have an established garden, a yard that is a bit out of control or live close to a nature reserve, have a look around and see what invasive species you can swap out.
“Established gardens have older style plants, many we now know are invasive, such as privet, Cotoneaster, Pyracantha (firethorn) and hawthorn. Other garden plants known to be invasive and escape into our reserves include bridal creeper, Nandina (sacred bamboo), fountain grass, ox-eye daisy and Spanish heath.
“If you live near Mt Ainslie and Mt Majura, check your garden for bridal creeper in particular. Residents in the Belconnen area should check for fountain grass. Both are species that are often traced back to local gardens.”
The weed swap will be held from 8.30am to 4.30pm at two green waste recycling centres:
- Corkhills Green Waste recycling Centre at Mugga Lane
- CSG Green Waste Recycling Centre on Parkwood Road Belconnen.
This event is a partnership between the Australian Native Plants Society and the ACT Government.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases
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