Invasive plants can be a menace in garden
LAST week, we visited the Old Mutual office complex in Borrowdale, off Liberation Legacy Way (formerly Borrowdale Road).
It is a unique architectural building that incorporates the greening-up concept throughout the complex.
The use of indigenous plants is a noble idea that resonates well with the design.
This brings us to the topic of responsible planting in our gardens.
Many exotic plants that were planted decades ago have become invasive species.
Invasive plants are those that were initially introduced for seemingly good purposes, but later proved to be major ecological weeds that destroy biodiversity in these natural ecosystems.
In Zimbabwe, we have the likes of the Mexican weeping pine (pinus patula), wattle (acacia mearnsii), cherry pie (lantana camara), guava (psidium guajava), gum tree (eucalyptus spp), blue jacaranda (jacaranda mimosfolia), prickly pear (opuntia fulgida) and water hyacinth (eichhornia crassipes).
Once established, the invasive plants multiply at very fast rates, to the detriment of all other native species.
Trying to reclaim that ecosystem to its original state is expensive. The plants may need to be removed manually, or through chemical or biological means — all of which come at a high cost.
Their impact on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, human health and wildlife should not be underestimated.
It is incumbent upon all property owners to learn to identify invasive alien species and eliminate them before they become a menace.
Property owners must plant local or native plants as a first preference or choose wisely, with advice from reputable nurseries.
A collaborative approach needs to be adopted at a global level, with all stakeholders involved, to avoid cross-border movement of plant materials.
Monitoring must be rigorous if this war against alien species is to be won.
If the war starts at household level, where greening up is an ongoing activity, with the support of legislation, then there is hope.
Let us plant with the future in mind. We should do so for the sake of later generations. We can get a cue on how it is done from Old Mutual’s Borrowdale office complex, where the garden was greened up with biodiversity in mind. ◆ If you would like to be featured in the green-up campaign, contact us on the number above. Feedback: ataurai@gmail.com or the sundaymail@zimpapers.co.zw