Community Nursery Of Pine Rivers Shire

Nursery news

We have had a bumper growth in turnover this financial year due to a reprieve from the drought last spring which escalated the demand for native plants. The success of the nursery has only been possible due to the great efforts of the jolly vollies and the nursery team including Irene and Donna. A big thanks to everyone! The down side is we will have to register for GST in the new financial year which will give our terrific treasurer Gary more work. Sorry mate!

Our projects for the next 8 weeks include the building of our new frost/prop house and more nursery benches. Both these jobs are HUGE so if you have any welding skills or some muscles give me a call as we would love the help.

Plant of the month

Elaeocarpus grandis - Blue Quandong

Beautiful fast growing rainforest tree forming buttress roots, growing 20-35m tall. Likes full or filtered sun, moist condition but is adaptable. Has whitish bark, shiny dark green foliage and white flowers in Autumn/Winter, the edible bright blue fruit attract birds, and bats. Food tree for Bright Cornelian butterfly. Popular farm forestry species. Plenty in the nursery but they don't last long.

Weed of the month

Cats Claw Creeper or Ivy (Macfadyena unguis-cati)

Vigorous woody climber that has tendrils ending in 3 sharp hooked claws. Dark green opposite leaves divided into2 lance shaped leaflets about 5 cm long and 1.5cm broad. Showy bright yellow bell shaped flowers. Invasive weed which smothers large trees and shrubs. Especially troublesome along coastal and hinterland streams in Queensland and northern NSW. Seeds water and wind dispersed, but also propogates by runners. Removal by digging up tubers is almost impossible, but the stems of individual vines can be cut close to the ground and the basal end should be painted with 100% Glyphosate. Treat leaves and regrowth with glycophosphate in recommended dilutions.