Redlands residents can exchange worrisome weeds for native plants on Saturday 1 August by taking their garden’s weeds in to IndigiScapes at Capalaba and participating in Trees for Weeds Day.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council is offering up to five local native plants per person in an effort to rid the Redlands of unruly, invasive weeds that threaten native wildlife and habitats.
“Winter may not be your garden’s most productive time, but it’s a great opportunity for preparation before spring,” Cr Williams said.
“Some of the most common garden plants in our region are actually invasive and prolific weeds. When they escape into surrounding bushland they cause damage by outcompeting native habitat.
“You’ll be doing our natural environment a favour by removing weeds and replacing them with easy to keep native plants. Council will provide five local native plants per person for five bags of weeds.
“All weeds are welcome however this year’s main focus will be on Wild Tobacco, Chinese Burr, Morning Glory and Green Cestrum.
“Council’s Bushcare officers will be there on the day to provide advice on how to identify and remove weeds and suggest suitable natives to replace them.”
Environmental spokesperson Cr Lance Hewlett encouraged residents to bring as many weeds as possible to IndigiScapes, saying every little bit helped to prevent their spread.
“Trees for Weeds Day is as much about education as keeping your backyard pleasant,” Cr Hewlett said.
“Don’t be shy to ask Council officers about some of your garden’s plants if you suspect they might be weeds. To help with plant identification, consider bringing a plant cutting or photo with you.”
The weeds Council is urging residents to target this year are:
Wild Tobacco: a woody shrub with a greyish-green trunk and yellowish-green leaves covered in hairs. It has lavender/blue flowers and small, round fruits that are greenish-yellow when ripe.
Chinese Burr: an erect shrub with one to two metre hairy stems. Chinese Burr has a strong odour when crushed and has small yellow flowers normally in clusters of three.
Morning Glory: a vigorous persistent climber with long twining stems. Morning Glory can grow to 15 metres and flowers in blue, purple and violet. Its leaves are egg shaped, smooth or with three lobed edge.
Green Cestrum: an erect shrub that grows to three metres with long leaves and an unpleasant smell when crushed. It has yellow tubular flowers and egg-shaped black fruit.
This Trees for Weeds Day event will take place at the IndigiScapes Nursery on Runnymede Road, Capalaba, from 9am-2pm on Saturday 1 August.
The Bay Island Trees for Weeds event will take place two weeks later in five island locations: North Stradbroke, Coochiemudlo, Karragarra, Macleay and Russell islands on Saturday 15 August. The weeds Council is urging island residents to target this year are Mile a Minute and Mother of Millions.
For more information contact 3824 8611 or visit http:// www.indigiscapes.com.au
