There are lots of yellow flowers around at the moment. Daffodils, forsythia and many wattle species. But some of the yellow flowers are Weeds of National Significance: broom and gorse. You can see these in flower along the highway and railway. Both of these are prolific seeders and the seeds can still germinate after decades.Continue reading “Yellow Flowers”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Striking Blue Invaders
This letter appeared in Letters to the Editor in the Blue Mountains Gazette Wednesday 14 February 2024. The title on the page was Agapanthus and airport flight paths. It is hard not to notice all the Agapanthus in bloom in the Mountains now. The striking blue, purple or white flowers seem to be everywhere. HoweverContinue reading “Striking Blue Invaders”
It’s time to deadhead your Agapanthus!
This year agapanthus started flowering early and it is going to seed early. It is an invasive weed which can take over bushland. It is very common in gardens and the borders of natural areas in Blackheath and spreads readily from seed. To reduce its spread use secateurs to cut off the flower heads atContinue reading “It’s time to deadhead your Agapanthus!”
Weed: Buddleja
Did you know this is a weed? Buddleja is an invasive weed that can take over bushland. It is increasingly common in gardens and the borders of natural areas in Blackheath, especially along the highway. It spreads readily from seed. It can also have white flowers. If you see it in your garden, please pullContinue reading “Weed: Buddleja”
The People v Weeds @ Blackheath Golf Course
Weeds are an ever-present issue in the Blue Mountains. There is a history of planting exotic species that are incompatible with the fragile natural ecosystems that nestle against our houses. The Black Summer bushfires, floods and Covid created a ‘perfect storm’ for weeds. Seed beds that were previously thought controlled were revealed by fire andContinue reading “The People v Weeds @ Blackheath Golf Course”
Year in Review – 2023
Govetts Leap Catchment Group has had a successful first year. Highlights include:
Weed: Spanish/ Portuguese Heath
Did you know this is a weed? Spanish Heath is a local priority weed which can take over bushland. It grows in poor soil and displaces native plants. In our Bushcare activities we are finding it on the creek-lines which flow into the Grose Valley. It spreads readily from seed dispersed by wind, water andContinue reading “Weed: Spanish/ Portuguese Heath”
Water Monitoring
I recently had the opportunity to join Alice and Will from the BMCC Healthy Waters Team at their annual water quality sampling of Govetts Leap Brook. This is one of over 70 sites across the Blue Mountains which the Healthy Waters staff sample annually. This provides the data for their annual Waterways Health Snapshot whichContinue reading “Water Monitoring”