Hidden weeds lurking in your garden

No one wants weeds in their garden. Even more so if they’re declared or banned, weeds that could be unknowingly hiding among the shrubs or flowers – and could harm our natural environment if they escape.

In coastal gardens and verges, the two most common declared weeds are gazanias, with their brightly coloured flowers, and fountain grass, which could easily be mistaken for a native.

Both are declared under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, meaning it is a requirement for landholders to remove them. They are also banned from being sold or moved from one location to another – unless they’re being dug out of the ground and put straight into your household green-lid FOGO bin.

Gazanias and fountain grass commonly escape gardens and spread into our nature reserves and our dunes system, where they compete for space with native plants – and usually win.

Native fauna, including bees, butterflies and birds, rely on native plants for food and habitat, which is why keeping weeds at bay – and out of Holdfast Bay – is so important.

Council is working towards controlling declared weeds on public land with the help of our dedicated Holdfast Habitat Hero volunteers, but we need help from all landowners and residents.

Each winter, Council holds the Gazania Free Gardens – Indigenous Plant Swap event as well as two indigenous plant giveaway days to help residents add more native plants to their own gardens. Council also offers a Green Living rebate to assist residents in buying Indigenous plants.

If you need help identifying a plant that you think might be a weed, send Council photos of the whole plant, including the leaves, flowers, and seedheads.