Resisting invasive plants
Good gardens evolve over time with planning and hard work. If you reject invasive plants when first planting your garden, not only will you be helping the environment but also saving your own gardens from big problems in the future.
With television programs and magazines showing radical make-overs and quick fixes, it may be tempting to seek ways to create an instant garden. But short-cuts sometimes lead to long-term disappointment. Some plants which are promoted as growing vigorously, providing rapid cover, or being indestructible can take over both gardens and bushland and then be hard to remove.
When buying new plants, ask nursery and garden centre staff to recommend non-invasive plants, including native species. Check that any plants labelled as ‘native’ are actually from Western Australia.
Unfamiliar pests and weeds
The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) is on the lookout for animal and plant pests, diseases and weeds that could pose a threat to agriculture and the environment.
If you discover something unfamiliar please send a photo to the Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) by email: info@agric.wa.gov.au or phone them on Freecall: 1800 084 881.
Please read the sending samples for identification web article before sending samples to the Pest and Disease Information Service, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, 6151, WA.