Gazanias are very hardy daisies native to southern Africa with brightly coloured flowers in bronze, yellow and orange tones.  They do very well when planted in Australian gardens - in fact too well!  They "escape" from gardens onto road verges and into areas of natural bushland where they displace native vegetation.  Unfortunately Gazanias are still allowed to be sold in nurseries and gardeners often share them around not realising that they can become a problem.

Gazanias have qualities that are appealing - big bright long-lasting flowers; they are tolerant of dryness and poor soils, and they are fast-growing.  Before choosing these plants for your garden please consider that environmental weeds seriously degrade natural ecosystems.  Choose instead from many other flowering plants available that are not such "escape artists" and will stay within your garden.

It would be a great shame if Gazanias continue to be planted and are allowed to spread unchecked into bushland such as Rotunda Park at Newstead where there is a good example of a threatened vegetation community.

Frances Cincotta, Newstead Natives Nursery, 5476 2691