Gazania Free Gardens

Campaign running through April and May 2019

Following last year’s successful ‘Gazania Free Goolwa’ campaign, Alexandrina Council and local environmental groups continue their mission to rid the region of this invasive weed, originating from South Africa, which is commonly spotted in local gardens. This autumn, the ‘Gazania Free Gardens’ campaign is turning its sights on Middleton and is calling on your help!

Gazania is a low-growing perennial plant which is infiltrating coastal dunes, agricultural systems and roadside verges. It has been used as a popular groundcover in both commercial and domestic gardens for many years, despite being listed as a declared plant under the Natural Resources Management Act (2004), its sale or transport is prohibited throughout the state.

Alexandrina Council, Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Association, the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board and the Alexandrina Community Nursery are working together to protect local dune systems and native bushland from Gazania invasion, establishing a plan to encourage and assist residents to identify and eliminate the plant from their gardens and roadside verges.

The plan involves community incentives to rid our region of the Gazania, strengthen biodiversity, and encourage the establishment of local indigenous plants.

The Alexandrina Community Nursery on Kessell Road in Goolwa is conducting a ‘Gazania Plant Swap’ through April and May, where residents can exchange Gazanias removed from their gardens for a 6-pack of indigenous plants and a wheelie bin sticker stating ‘My Garden is Gazania Free.’ This offer is available during the nursery’s opening hours, while stocks last.

A highlight event of the ‘Gazania Free Gardens’ campaign will include a family friendly, Community Planting Day,  at Chapman Road, Middleton, from 10am to 12pm, on Sunday 19 May; where participants will work together to revegetate an area of coastal dunes with endemic species that will thrive in the sandy, salty conditions.

Finally, don’t forget to visit www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au/gazania for updates about the campaign and useful tips and ideas for eliminating and replacing Gazania in your garden.

The Gazania Free Gardens Campaign is an initiative from Alexandrina Council’s Environmental Action Plan, embracing the ‘Thrive in Clean, Green Futures” strategic objective.