Now they are looking worse for wear and about to set seed and spread to where they are unwanted.  

Agapanthus seed is spread by wind, water and in contaminated soil or dumped garden waste.

As the seed is quite large, most wind spread occurs within a short distance from the parent plant, but occasionally plants will occur several hundred metres from the parent clump.

The plants also spread from underground rhizomes.

Dumping of garden waste can also spread the plant.

Agapanthus and other invasive garden plants become a threat to native vegetation once they establish and spread in bushland reserves, along roadsides and coastal headlands. 

The best way to prevent Agapanthus from spreading is to cut off the flowers before they set seed, a process called dead–heading.

This is a simple process that will reduce the threat of invasive garden plants on surrounding bushland. 

Replacing the Agapanthus plants all together is another option and will reduce the need for maintenance in the future.

Some good native replacements are Blue Flax-lily (Dianella species), Swamp Lily (Crinum pedunculatum) and Mat-rush (Lomandra species). 

If you would like further advice on controlling Agapanthus or to book a bush-friendly garden visit please contact Eurobodalla Shire Council’s officer Heidi Thomson on 4474 7442. 

Mark Shorter is Sustainability Co-ordinator with Eurobodalla Shire Council

Plants with seeds that are spread by birds should be avoided in gardens, even if the garden is not close to native vegetation.

Birds can fly long distances, so they can transport seed from built-up areas into the bush easily.