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Elderberry

Elderberry
Photo: Robert Chin
Invasive Plant
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
 

Originally from Europe, this almost completely deciduous shrub grows to 4 m high. It has serrated, pinnate leaves and heads of lacy, cream flowers in summer through to early autumn. The flowers are followed by shiny, purple-black berries. This plant has become very invasive of roadsides, old gardens and disturbed bushland.

 

HOW IT SPREADS

  • Spread mainly by birds, which excrete the seeds in their droppings.
  • Tends to develop suckers (new plants) from roots around the parent plant.
  • It can also be spread by water, machinery, the movement of soil, and by garden waste dumping.
 

Please note: The berries of this plant are known to be poisonous.

 
 
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Alternative Plants

Photinia
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Photinia
Photinia glabra 'Rubens'
Trees and Shrubs
 

A dense evergreen shrub to 5 m. New leaves are bright red, showy and mature to dark green. An ideal hedging plant that responds well to pruning. Thrives in full-sun to part-shade. New quick growing cultivars are 'Super Red', 'Super Hedge' or the fast growing 'Super Bronze'.

Purple Leaved Plum, Blireana
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Purple Leaved Plum, Blireana
Prunus x blireana
Trees and Shrubs
 

Deciduous, vase shaped tree growing to around 5 m high. This hybrid is sterile, so does not produce fruit. It has slender, arching branches, double mauve-pink flowers in spring and reddish-purple leaves which turn purplish-green in summer. It prefers full-sun in well-drained soils. This frost tolerant species is commonly used as a street tree.

Victorian Mint Bush, Victorian Christmas Bush
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Victorian Mint Bush, Victorian Christmas Bush
Prostanthera lasianthos
Trees and Shrubs
 

The largest of the native mint bushes and is widely distributed in many parts of south-eastern Australia including Tasmania. It is a tall shrub or small tree to 4.5 m high with toothed lancedshaped foliage. The lightly scented flowers are mauve or pink in clusters and appear from winter through to early summer. Flowers are followed by seed vessels turning bright green, then bronze. This plant is variable in flower colour and ultimate height depending on location. Grows in a wide range of environments and tolerates frosts and cold climates.

 
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