Firethorns, Pyracantha sp. at the foot slope of Mt Majura (W. Pix 18.02.2010). Firethorns are spread by birds which eat the fruits and excrete the seeds in the native bush.
Coming up Weed Swap Weekend 1st & 2nd April 2017, from 8.30am to 4.45pm.
Weed Swap is a joint initiative of the Australian Native Plants Society and the ACT Government to encourage residents to remove woody weeds from their gardens, safely dispose them and select free Australian native plants as a bush friendly alternative to grow. Weed Swap is held in spring and autumn each year.
Native plants at the Weed Swap site (photograph ANPS website)
What to do: Remove the woody weeds from your garden; bring the remains to the green waste recycling center at either Canberra Sand and Gravel in Belconnen or Corkhill Brothers near Mugga Lane tip; go to the Weed Swap stall at these locations and receive Australian replacement plants of your choice. There will be a range of native ground-covers, clumping plants, small medium and large shrubs and a few trees available such as Wattles, Bottlebrushes, Correas, Grevilleas and Boobialla. All plants are clearly labelled and volunteers will offer planting and care advice.
FoMM’s Weed Swap info table at the Hackett shops in 2016 (W. Pix)
For further information visit the info table hosted by the Friends of Mt Majura at the Hackett shops in the week prior to Weed Swap; read this Weed-Swap Fact sheet; check out the Australian Native Plants Society Weed Swap Website
Target species for removal: Cotoneaster, Firethorn, Privets, Japanese Honeysuckle, Cootamundra wattle and Brooms.
Enquiries: Phone Canberra Connect on 132281 or contact the Weed Swap co-ordinator Rosemary Blemings phone 6258 4724, e-mail weedswap@nativeplants-canberra.asn.au
View some of the common woody weeds that occur within the Mount Majura Nature Reserve at the FoMM Woody Weeds Flickr Group: click here
