Did you know there are many ecologically 'bad' plants that should not be planted in your garden?
The national Plant Me Instead campaign, initiated by the Working for Water Nurseries Partnership Programme (WFW NPP), aims to highlight the vast number of 'good' plants that can be planted in local gardens as opposed to the 348 'bad' or invasive alien plants.
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Approximately 27 000 indigenous plants and 9000 alien or exotic plants are successfully growing in South Africa. Among the 9000 foreigners are 348 species that are deemed to be invasive alien plants. Many of them have jumped the garden fence over the last few decades and are invading wetlands, conservation areas and agricultural farmlands.
Ecologically 'bad' invaders are estimated to have invaded 10% of the country and soak up 7% of our water every year. Among the worst of these listed invader species in KwaZulu-Natal are lantana (Lantana camara), bugweed (Solanum mauritianum) and triffid weed (Chromolaena odorata). The Plant Me Instead campaign reminds gardeners to plant ecologically 'good' plants vs invasive bad plants. It also promotes replanting areas where 'bad' invaders have been removed with 'good' plants, rather than leaving the soil barren and open to erosion.
"In September, Plant Me Instead was launched nationally in 150 participating garden centres by 2009 Idols winner, Jason Hartman who is a passionate organic gardener", says Kay Montgomery, project leader for WFW NPP. "Between now and April 2010, 500 000 plants will reach garden centres with an approved Plant Me Instead sticker. Every plant with a sticker has been officially endorsed by the South African Nursery Association (SANA) and is deemed to be a good plant for your garden", she says.
For information on invasive alien plants contact Lucricia at the Invasive Alien Species Programme, KZN Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs.
Tel: 033-3559 353 Email:
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More information: www.arc.agric.za
