Grow me instead
Protect our bushland and grow me instead, a guide for gardeners on the New South Wales south coast.
This guide has been produced because many of the plants that have become invasive in Australia have come from gardens. Almost all our national aquatic weeds were imported as ornamentals and many of the worst environmental weeds on the South Coast have escaped from gardens.
The purpose of this booklet is to encourage the replacement of weedy garden plants with plants that will not jump the garden fence We aim to empower gardeners to make informed choices about what to plant . By making better choices you can help preserve our native flora and fauna.
It is not possible to cover all of the potentially weedy garden plants in this booklet. This booklet concentrates on weedy plants which may still be available at some nurseries, on charity stalls and at markets, or be swapped by gardening club members.
The booklet covers the NSW South Coast, from Wollongong to the Victorian border. Many of the recommended plants are native to the South Coast. There is a wide range of rainfall and temperature extremes within this area, and many of the plants recommended as replacements will do better in some areas than others. Consult your local nursery or garden centre about which of the recommended plants is most suitable for your particular climate and soil type, or ask them about other non-invasive plants known to perform well in your area.
Give the locals a go
This booklet promotes the use of local native plants. More gardeners are realising the advantages of using local species. They are well adapted to local soils and climate, and escaping from your garden is less likely to be an issue.
If you “go local” you will notice that your garden blends into the local environment better, it will be lower maintenance, should require less water and will provide habitat for local wildlife. Food for wildlife does not just include nectar or berries, but insects and seeds, such as those of native grasses.
We have provided a range of suggested alternatives including introduced species (“exotics”) and Australian plants. Most of the Australian plants recommended are either native to the South Coast or do not have mechanisms for dispersing their seed widely. Plants from other parts of Australia may become environmental weeds outside their natural distribution and habitat.
Protect or bushland and Grow me Instead... downlod the Grow me Instead booklet
© Bega Valley Shire Council 2024
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- 02 6499 2222
- council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
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Zingel Place
PO Box 492
Bega NSW 2550 -
Monday to Friday 9.00AM to 4.30PM
Administration building Zingel Place Bega
Australia -
ABN: 26 987 935 332
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