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The more we travel, and the more wonderful gardens crammed with exciting and new plants we see, the more tempting it becomes to bring home some of this wonderful bounty. Don't.
Plants display different attributes in varying climates and soils and can rapidly become terrible pests. Also, you may unwittingly introduce a virus, insect pests, disease or even the seeds of another plant with your plant treasure. New Zealand does not suffer honey fungus, a terrible disease that has destroyed trees and made replanting even of different varieties impossible in many English and European gardens. Reading overseas gardening magazines and experiencing the trials of gardening in different countries makes us aware of just how lucky we are in New Zealand. Let's try to keep it that way!
The official warning reminds us "Virtually all of New Zealand's environmental weed species began their rampage by escaping from people's gardens. Weeds can have devastating effects on native ecosystems and any hardy, vigorous garden plant is quite possibly an environmental disaster waiting to happen."
Most of the desirable plants for our gardens are here already, you may have to look hard for more rare plants, or get them from a specialist plant society but that has the added benefit of bringing into contact with enthusiastic nurserymen and knowledgeable gardeners.
The New Zealand Plant Pest Accord lists a formidable array of plants that are here already and that have become invasive, nasty pests that threaten our native flora, our farmlands and horticultural industry.
Listed opposite are the guys to look out for. There are other plants that are specific pests in different areas, ask your local council if you are not sure. If you find any of the plants listed opposite and are not sure what you should do, it's simple. Look it up on www.protectnz.org.nz, identify the plant and read how to eradicate it. Follow the links to check if it is a pest plant in your region, or contact your local regional council and ask, trained staff will deal with particularly horrid plants. Many plants can be disposed safely and thoroughly once you know how.
Kereru (wood pigeons) and other native birds are at risk from plant pests invading native habitats
Do avoid dumping garden waste willy-nilly. This has the potential to introduce garden plants into the bush and countryside where they don't belong. A drive along the water races of Canterbury shows the spread of Schiostylis; agapanthus is spreading in the dunes and coastal areas of the north; Melianthus major (Honeywort) is another garden escapee that is a pest in some warm climate areas.
Do your bit for your country and be a responsible gardener!
The National Pest Plant Accord
The National Pest Plant Accord identifies pest plants that are prohibited from sale and commercial propagation and distribution across the country.
The Accord came into effect on 1 October 2001 and is an agreement between regional councils and government departments with biosecurity responsibilities. It provides a consistent approach to managing pest plants to ensure sound environmental outcomes for controlling and eradicating pest plants across the country.
Under the Accord, regional councils will undertake surveillance to ensure the pest plants are not being sold, propagated or distributed.
Gardeners - you may have plants growing in your garden that are considered pests and can be harmful to our environment.
To see images of plants pests and more on the Plant Accord visit www.protectnz.org.nz, there are dedicated pages for gardeners |
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Plants listed in the Plant Pest Accord
Botanical Name Comon name
Acmena smithii Monkey apple
Alternanthera philoxeroides Alligator weed
Anredera cordifolia Maderia vine, mignonette vine
Araujia sericifera Moth plant
Asparagus asparagoides Smilax, Bridal Veil crepper
Asparagus scandens Climbing asparagus, ferny asparagus
Bartlettina sordida Bartlettina
Berberis darwinii Darwin's barberry
Bryonia dioica White bryony
Caesalpinia decapetala Mysore thorn
Calluna vulgaris Heather
Cardiospermum grandiflorum Ballon vine
Cardiospermum halicacatum Small ballon vine
Caulerpa taxifolia
Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. Climbing spindleberry, Oriental bittersweet
Ceratophyllum demersum hornwort
Cestrum parqui Green cestrum
Chrysanthemoides monilifera spp. Monilifera Bone seed
Clenmatis vitalba Old Man's Beard, Wayfarer's Joy
Cobaea scandens Cathedral Bells, Cup and Saucer vine
Cortaderia jubata Purple Pampas
Cortaderia selloana Pampas
Dipogon lignosus Mile-a-minute
Egeria densa Oxygen weed, Egeria
Ehrharta villosa Pyp grass
Eichhornia crassipes Water hyacinth
Equisetum arvense Horsetail
Equisetum hymenale Rough horsetail
Eragrostis curvula African lovegrass
Erigeron karvinskianus Mexican daisy
Gunnera tinctoria Chilean rhubarb
Gymnocoronis spilanthoides Senegal tea
Hedychium favescens Yellow ginger
Hedychium gardnerianum Kahili ginger
Homeria collina Cape tulip
Houttuynia cordata Chameleon plant
Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla
Hydrocleys nymphoides Water poppy
Ipomoea indica Blue morning glory
Iris pseudacorus Yellow flag iris
Lagarosiphon major Oxygen weed
Lantana camara var aculeata Lantana
Ligustrum lucidum Tree privet
Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle
Ludwigia peploides Primrose willow
Ludwigia peruviana Water primrose
Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife
Menyanthes trifoliata bog bean
Myrica faya Fire tree, Candle-berry myrtle
Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrot's feather
Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian watermilfoil
Najas guadalupensis Southern naiad
Najas marina Sawtooth
Nassella tenuissima Mexican feather grass, Nassella tussock
Nuphar lutea Yellow waterlily
Nymphoides geminata Entire marshwort
Nymphoides peltata fringed waterlily
Osmunda regalis Royal fern
Passiflora mixta Banana passionfruit
Passiflora mollissima Banana passionfruit
Pennisetum alopecuroides Chinese pennisetum
Penniseteum macrourum African feather grass
Pennisetum purpureum Elephant grass, Napier grass
Pennisetum setaceum African fountain grass
Phragmites australis Phragmites
Pinus contorta Lodgepole pine
Pistia stratoites Water lettuce
Plectranthus ciliatus Plectranthus
Polygonum perfoliatum Devil's tail tearthumb
Potamogeton perfoliatus Clasped pondweed
Rhamus alaternus Evergreen buckthorn
Sagittaria montevidensis Arrowhead
Sagittaria platyphylla Delta arrowhead, Sagittaria
Sagittaria sagittifolia Arrowhead, Hawaii arrowhead
Salix cinerea Grey willow
Salvinia molesta Kariba weed
Schinus terebinthifolius Christmas berry
Seleginella kraussiana Selagineela
Solanum carolinense Horse nettle
Solanum marginatum White-edged nightshade
Sorghum halepense Johnson grass
Sparganium erectum Bur weed
Stratoites aloides Water soldier
Tradescantia fluminensis Wandering Jew, Tradescantia
Trapa natans Water chestnut
Tropaeolum speciosum Chilean flame creeper
Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot
Typha domingensis Southern cattail
Typha latifolia Great reedmace
Utricularia gibba Bladderwort
Vallisneria gigantea Eel grass
Zizania latifolia Manchurian wild rice |
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