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Bridal creeper is proclaimed for active
control throughout the State. Sale and transport of the plant
is prohibited. Advice on recognition and control of noxious
weeds can be obtained from local Councils, the State Herbarium
Home Garden Advisory Service or the South Australian Animal
and Plant Control Commission. Bridal creeper, Asparagus
asparagoides, is a native of southern Africa and is a
major environmental weed in southern Australia. In dense
infestations the underground tubers, representing up to 90% of
the weed's biomass, form 'mats' under the soil surface that
prevent native seedling establishment.
Specified weeds have been proclaimed under the
Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and other
purposes) Act, 1986 because they have taken over native areas,
upset wetland ecosystems and garden landscapes, and interfere
with agricultural and horticultural production. There is an
obligation for all homeowners to control proclaimed plants on
their property.
Bridal creeper foliage appears after the first
winter rains and fruits in late November. Birds eat the fruit
and are responsible for seed spread. The foliage dies off in
early summer due to lack of water, but the tuber reserves
enable it to survive the summer drought. It is a perennial
climbing or woody herb up to 3 m in height with persistent
tubers and red berries that are shed over the summer. The
foliage is annual with new stems arising from the tuber each
year. Seed production is high and will persist at the soil
surface. Bridal creeper is tolerant of shade, drought and will
resprout if damaged. Contain existing infestations to prevent
further encroachment into areas of conservation value.
Progressively reduce large infestations where possible.
Isolated plants may be eradicated by digging out
all tubers. Other treatments must be repeated in successive
years until no more regrowth occurs. Spraying should be
carried out while plants are actively growing but before
flowering starts.
About 80% of the plant is made up of underground
tubers so hand pulling and digging are not considered viable
options in most circumstances. Herbicide treatment is
preferred.
As the seed is readily spread by birds,
continued vigilance is necessary to detect new outbreaks or
regrowth in previously treated areas. Prompt control of small
infestations is easier to achieve and will minimise damage to
desirable vegetation.
Biological control of bridal creeper started in
the early 1990s. There have now been two biological control
agents released, a leafhopper insect and a rust fungus.
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As Ash trees lose their leaves, the whitefly
will move to other plants to over-winter. There are over 60
ornamental plants identified as hosts to Ash Whitefly. Among
the more susceptible are citrus, photinea, apple and pear and
pomegranite. Spraying with insecticides may help to control
this relatively new pest, but the best control is garden
hygiene. Rake and place fallen Ash leaves in plastic garbage
bags and leave them in the sun to "solarise." If temperatures
are warm enough this will kill many of the eggs. If the leaves
are left on the ground or put on the compost pile the whitefly
eggs will survive until next spring to invade your garden all
over again. 
Deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule) and
chickweed (Stellaria media) are two winter annual weeds
that continue to thrive in lawns. Deadnettle is an upright
plant that produces a characteristic small purple flower.
Chickweed is a low growing weed that forms a dense mat. The
leaves are bright green with somewhat woolly leaves and a
white flower. These weeds are quite obvious this time of year
in thin areas of the lawn. 