Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

Many of the weedy species that are invading and damaging our natural areas are ornamental plants that have ‘jumped the fence' from gardens and gone wild.

It costs councils, government departments and private landowners millions of dollars, and volunteers and community groups thousands of unpaid hours, to control these weeds every year.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has produced a ‘Plant Me Instead' booklet which profiles the environmental weeds of greatest concern to those who work and volunteer in local parks and reserves, national parks, bush remnants, wetlands and coastal areas in our region.

Suggestions are given for locally-sold non-weedy species, both native and non-native, that can be used to replace these weeds in your garden. The guide categorises plants under their growth habit - groundcovers and fillers; grasses, bulbs and ferns; climbers and vines; shrubs, trees and palms; and aquatic weeds.

You may be surprised at some of the species that are identified as garden escapees that are causing problems in the wild. Mexican daisy, agapanthus, hydrangea, canna lilly, bamboo, arum lilly, English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, jasmine, lantana, and the phoenix palm are some of the very common plants which used to be favourites in our gardens which are now on the list of plants to be avoided – particularly if you live adjacent to bush and wilderness areas. The good news is that the booklet identifies attractive alternatives together with full colour illustrations, so you know what you are looking for in garden centres.

I know of gullies in the western Bay that are being overrun with wild ginger plants and we have all seen the pink flowering wild cherries spreading in our native bush adjacent to urban areas. When they get away from us, it is very hard to get rid of all these rogue plants, so consider the environment when you plan your garden.

You can access the booklet on the regional council website – www.boprc.govt.nz and search for Plant Me Instead – or phone 0800 884 880 and ask for a copy.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, email me neesj@xtra.co.nz or phone 07 579 5150. Or you can check out www.janenees.co.nz