We’re all spending lots of time at home this year, with many people making the most of the restrictions by getting out into the garden.
Our Conservation team have helped us choose some of the most common plants in backyards – all of which are classed as environmental weeds in Victoria, meaning they are invasive and threatening to our native environment. We’ll be showcasing a weed of the month over the next few months.
Conservation Leading Hand Rachael Beecham said it’s important to remove weeds growing in your garden because they won’t stay in your garden.
“Weeds have incredible means of spreading throughout not only your neighbours garden but our native bushlands. Birds, water and wind all spread the seed for kilometres.”
Weed of the Month: Red Hot Pokers – Kniphofia uvaria
Where it’s from: Native to South Africa
It’s a fast growing, very tough and invasive plant that is tolerant of the salty coastal environment. It grows to approximately 1.2 metres in height and in thick tufts, and the seed is dispersed by wind, travelling up to 1 kilometre. It also seems to like being burnt and will flower vigorously after fire. This species is regarded as an environmental weed in Victoria and New South Wales.
Pokers are a popular garden plant because they are low maintenance and have striking red and yellow flower heads during winter and spring.
“When removing weeds from your garden, try to remove them before they flower or produce seed. This will help prevent new seedlings emerging the following year. If the weeds are flowering or covered in seed, make sure you put them in your bin.”
Find out more information about weeds in the Surf Coast Shire and how to treat them here.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog 