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Prickly Duranta

Prickly Duranta
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Invasive Plant
Prickly Duranta
Duranta erecta
 

A dense shrub usually growing to 4-5m with pendulous branches bearing blue, white or purple flowers, followed by orange berries.

This very popular garden plant has had a renaissance in popularity with the introduction of several new forms in recent years. Whilst many are kept well pruned into effective hedges, particularly in local government areas and commercial premises others are left unkempt and form berries.

 

HOW IT SPREADS

  • The berries are highly attractive to birds. If a plant is allowed to form berries, birds ingest them and distribute the plants widely in native bushland, creating thickets and upsetting the ecosystem.
  • Do not allow existing plants to form berries. Either prune immediately after flowering or remove the plant entirely if regular maintenance is not practical.
 
Note: This plant is also considered poisonous.
 
 
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Other superior selections include;

  • Acalypha wilkesiana 'Firestorm'
  • Ixora species and cultivars - Ixoras
  • Backhousia citriodora - Lemon Scented Myrtle

Ask your local retailer for more superior selections

 

Alternative Plants

Emu Bush
Photo: © immij pty ltd
Alternative Plant Emu Bush
Eremophila maculata aurea
Trees and Shrubs
 

A highly desirable Australian native plant with light green leaves and a multi-branched habit growing to 2.5m and bearing tubular yellow flowers. There are also other selections that have pink or reddish flowers.

Lilly Pillies
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Lilly Pillies
Syzygium australe cultivars
Trees and Shrubs
 

This superb Australian native rainforest plant has glossy green foliage, a profusion of fluffy white flowers and small colourful berries. There are many different cultivars of this plant with a wide range of growth habits, foliage types and berry colours. Many make highly desirable hedges and screens. 'Elite', 'Bush Christmas' and 'Hinterland Gold' are three of many suitable selections.

Native Fuchsia
Photo: Norwood
Alternative Plant Native Fuchsia
Graptophyllum excelsum
Trees and Shrubs
 

An Australian native that can reach 6-8m but is often kept to 1.5m in cultivation. It has dark green glossy leaves and abundant rich red tubular flowers in summer. The flowers are attractive to nectar feeding birds. This fantastic plant should be more widely used, making an excellent specimen or effective hedge.

 
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