Aussies warned against 'beautiful' plant popular in gardens: 'Approach carefully'
Green thumbs across the country have recognised the plant's incredible beauty but there's a prickly problem behind the popular garden find.
When planning which plants to include in your garden, you might opt for bright and beautiful. And while bougainvillaeas certainly fit that description, there's a prickly truth behind their beauty, many Aussies have pointed out.
After stumbling upon its vibrant pink leaves at a car park in NSW recently, one resident wondered what the plant could be. "Bougainvillea. Beautiful, but never plant in your own garden," one person was quick to respond — and scores of others agreed.
Professor Brett Summerell, Chief Scientist and Director of Science at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, told Yahoo News Australia the "pretty" plant, native to South America but now widespread, can wreak havoc in Aussie gardens.
"They have nasty big spines so that makes it hard to keep under control," he warned. "They can overtake a space so unless you are prepared to keep them pruned, it can be overwhelming — sometimes they will take over a wall or fence."
Aussies warn against 'beautiful' bougainvillaeas in gardens
Responding to the social media post, dozens shared their own horror stories relating to the prickly plant. One referred to the colourful plant as "nature's barbed wire" while another noted the "scar" they still have on their arm after brushing against the plant's painful thorns.
"Once established, you'll never be able to get rid of it," said another speaking of its rapidly growing nature.
"In addition to the thorns, they grow like wildfire. You will be either forever pruning or subsumed," said someone else. "They are stunning though. I'm always trying to think of a way to have one without the problems".
"Admire from afar. Approach carefully," someone else simply said, while many claimed they're simply not worth the hassle to maintain.
They also require regular watering, regular feeding and constant trimming.
While the bougainvillea in the images posted online boasted a beautiful shade of fuchsia, Summerell said "hundreds of varieties have been bred in a variety of colours" — including various shades of red, purple and pink.
They are originally from South America but since the 1800s have been planted anywhere warm. They can tolerate some frosts but not real cold weather," he said, so parts of Australia make the ideal environment for them to thrive.
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Other plants people should avoid in their gardens
Previously, an Aussie gardener warned against including yucca in gardens too. While harmless to look at, they have the potential to "destroy its surroundings", including the nearby house beside it with its sprawling roots, Steven from Zani’s Gardening said. They too can cause injuries if handled incorrectly.
Meanwhile, Nathan Stafford, of Nathan's Lawns and Gardens, told Yahoo News Australia that ivy — an evergreen climbing vine in the Ginseng family — can be just as problematic. While it won't cause injury when touched, it has the potential to "rip apart" foundations if left unmaintained he warned.
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