A John Ruskin Quote - However, Plants are Not Made Equal

Agies seeding themselves, and in the
front garden, too! 

Being thus prepared for us in all ways, and made beautiful, and good for food, and for building,
and for instruments of our hands, this race of plants, deserving boundless affection and
admiration from us, becomes, in proportion to their obtaining it, a nearly perfect test of our
being in right temper of mind and way of life; so that no one can be far wrong in either who
loves trees enough, and everyone is assuredly wrong in both who does not love them,
if his life has brought them in his way."
-   John Ruskin, 1819-1900, Modern Painters VI  

That quote pretty much captures it all.

But there is one thing I should add that all plants and trees are not made equal.  Noxious and environmental weeds are our second largest ecological issue in this country, after land-clearing. 

On one of my more dangerous landscaping jobs this week which involved a piece of metal getting wedged in my eye along with a smidgeon of rust, I did still spy a goodly number of Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox spp. orientalis) spreading about the eastern and inner suburbs of Melbourne (and coastally, too). It is a real takeover bid in public and private places. What I don't like is how they dwarf a lot of the native shrubs and really look quite silly protruding out of otherwise quite tame garden beds.  It's important to dead head them ie remove the flowers before the seeds disperse.

Over the holidays, I will send some letters to councils and local papers about this.  In the meantime, check out this list of well-known weeds.

http://www.gregsindigenouslandscapes.com.au/Environmental%20Weeds.htm