Environmental weeds

Weeds are plants growing where they do not belong, such as in natural bushland, waterways or your garden. 

Noxious weeds are listed under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 and landowners are required to control them. Some environmental weeds, such as blackberry or broom, are also considered noxious weeds.

Why weeds are a problem

Environmental weeds invade bushland, taking over from indigenous (naturally occurring) species, or preventing their regeneration. 

Most indigenous wildlife living in Maroondah depend on indigenous vegetation. Therefore, loss of bushland can lead to local extinction of our birds and animals.

How to manage weeds

Generally, it is the responsibility of the property owner/occupier to manage weeds growing on their property and ensure they do not escape into neighbouring properties.

The best way to manage weeds is to remove them as soon as they appear in your garden or target them before they begin their seeding period. A permit for tree removal may be required to remove these weeds/plants**.

Weed identification

How to identify weeds:

• See our list (below) of the most common and problematic weeds in Maroondah.
• For information on weed identification, control measures and appropriate herbicides contact Maroondah Council's Bushland team on 03 9294 5677.
• Visit the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website to find out about Invasive species on public land.

Plant family	Image
Climbers and creepers
Blackberry – Rubus fructicous Flowering time: early summer Seeding time: berries late summer to early autumn Control time: October to April Control techniques: cut stems on aerial growth, spray, dig out
Cleavers – Galium aparine Flowering time: late winter to early spring Seeding time: summer Control time: all year Control techniques: remove by hand or spray
English Ivy – Hedera helix Flowering time: late autumn to winter Seeding time: berries in winter to spring (regrows from small pieces) Control time: all year Control techniques: remove by hand, cut stems on aerial growth, spray
Japanese Honeysuckle – Lonicera japonica Flowering time: spring to summer Seeding time: berries in late summer to autumn (also reproduces vegetatively) Control time: all year Control techniques: remove by hand, cut stems on aerial growth, spray
Grasses, bulbs and groundcover
Panic Veltd Grass – Ehrharta erecta Flowering time: all year Seeding time: all year Control time: all year Control techniques: remove by hand, spray
Angled onion – Allium triquetrum Flowering time: winter to spring (strong onion smell) Seeding time: late spring to summer Control time: April to August Control techniques: remove by hand, spray, dig out
Soursob – Oxalis pes-caprae Flowering time: spring (yellow flower) Seeding time: summer Control time: all year Control techniques: remove by hand, spray
White Arum Lily – Zantedeschia aethiopica Flowering time: late winter to early spring Seeding time: late spring to early summer Control time: all year Control techniques: remove by hand, spr
Monbretia – Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Flowering time: spring to summer Seeding time: autumn (also reproduces by corms) Control time: August to September Control techniques: remove by hand, dig out, spray
Sweet Vernal Grass – Anthoxanthum odoratum Flowering time: all year Seeding time: all year Control time: winter to spring Control techniques: remove by hand, spray
Trees and shrubs
** Privet – Ligustrum lucidum Flowering time: spring to summer Seeding time: berries in winter Control time: all year Control techniques: remove by hand, cut stems on aerial growth, drill and fill
** Sweet Pittosporum – Pittosporum undulatum Flowering time: early spring Seeding time: autumn to winter Control time: all year Control techniques: remove by hand, cut stems on aerial growth, drill and fill

Removal of blackberries

Blackberries are considered to be an invasive weed. Removal on private property is the responsibility of the property owner. To effectively eradicate blackberries, spraying must be carried out in the summer months.   

Council can issue a Notice to Comply to private property owners for removal of blackberries.

Other weeds of concern 

• Pale wood-sorrel (Oxalis incarnata)
• Common cat’s ear (Hypochoeris radicata)
• Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
• Fumitory (Fumeria officinalis)
• Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox subsp orientalis)
• Annual mercury (Mercurialis annua)
• Bluebell creeper (Billardiera heterophylla) (formerly Sollya heterophylla)
• Blue periwinkle (Vinca major)
• Bridle creeper (Asparagus asparagoides)
• Cape ivy (Delairia odorata)
• Common onion grass (Romulea rosea var. australis)
• Common vetch (Vicia sativa subsp. Sativa)
• Drain sedge (Cyperus eragrostis)
• Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sp.)
• St Peter’s wort (Hypericum tetrapterum)
• Wandering trad (Tradescantia fluminensis)
• Coastal wattle
• Sallow wattle (Acacia longifolia var. sophorae var. longifolia)
• Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
• Large quaking grass (Briza maxima)
• Watsonia (Watsonia  mmeriana var. bulbillifera)
• Brooms and Gorze – (English broom, Montpellier broom and Gorze) (Cytisus scoparius, Genista monspessulana, Ulex europaeus)
• Asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus) 

Replacing pest plants with indigenous species

An important part of weed management is using replacement plants that are more appropriate. Planting hardy indigenous plants species grown from seeds collected within the region creates a habitat for local animals and birds, contributing to our local landscape.

Local Indigenous nurseries

Candlebark Community Nursery

Address: corner Hull Road and Taylor Road, Mooroolbark (Entry off Hull Road)
Phone: 9727 0594
Email: info@candlebark.org.au
Website: www.candlebark.org.au 

CRISP Indigenous Plant Nursery

Address: 17 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood
Phone: 9879 3911
Email: crisp@melb.org.au
Website: www.crispnursery.org.au