A tradie’s three-day mission to remove thick, unruly bunches of a “pretty” yet problematic weed has sparked a plea to Aussie homeowners. At first, the landscaping job at a Melbourne property this week started like most others.
After meeting with his new clients JJ, who launched his business JJ’s Garden Maintenance last winter, was informed by the homeowners that they had “two massive, decent-sized garden beds full of agapanthus”. Planted before they bought the home five years ago, the couple hoped he could get rid of them.
Although he had never tried to remove agapanthus before, JJ told Yahoo News Australia he figured it would be relatively simple and told the pair “no dramas”.
After agreeing on a price of around $1,500, the gardener grabbed a reciprocating saw and two shovels from his truck and got to work.
But it didn’t take him long to realise that it wasn’t going to be as easy as he’d initially believed.
Tradie’s three-day battle to remove notoriously difficult weed
Within hours, both of his shovels were broken, and as the temperature hit a warm 27 degrees, JJ paused and took a moment to reflect.
“The job itself was a bit of a challenge, and it came to a point where I pulled out probably 80 to 90 per cent of these agapanthus,” he told Yahoo, noting there was an estimated 50 stalks per square metre.
“I ripped out the good chunk of them, the top and the bottom half, and I disposed of them all. And I’m looking at the ground going, ‘I don’t think what I’ve done is going to be sufficient’.”
JJ said he then “jumped into gear” and started researching more about how to properly remove the weed, which is considered invasive in all parts of Australia due to their ability to spread rapidly and outcompete native plants.
Originally from South Africa, agapanthus thrive in our climates, quickly establishing dense clumps and hefty root systems. Source: JJ’s Garden Maintenance
Originally from South Africa, the hardy plants thrive in our climates, quickly establishing dense clumps and hefty root systems.
“Their roots almost look extraterrestrial,” JJ said, adding they just seemed to “go on forever”.
With a hired tiller, he returned on the third day and “ripped up the entirety of the rest of the root system, which was probably about 100mm to 150mm deep”.
“Normally you do some jobs and it’s a quick trim and you move on, and then there’s some jobs that I do that are absolutely manic and this was one of them,” JJ told Yahoo.
Gardener’s agapanthus ‘rant’ goes viral
During the “monster” removal process, the gardener posted a video urging other tradies and landscapers to share their tips on how to properly boot the species from a backyard.
“My lord, that was an experience and a half,” he jokingly “ranted” before urging homeowners to think twice before adding one to their home environment.
“For all the people out there thinking to get agapanthus in their property or wanting them removed, just don’t in general, don’t get them. And if there’s a gardener who wants to remove them, expect it to be expensive.”
The video has since gone viral, racking up almost 80,000 views and numerous comments from Aussies sharing their own horror stories about the notoriously difficult plant.
Some people noted the species is “right up there with removing Yuccas“.
Others defended the plants, describing their ability to withstand hot days and neglect.
Invasive Species Council Policy Director Dr Carol Booth has warned Australians from falling for the plant’s attractive aesthetic.
“A pretty garden plant but ecologically dangerous — agapanthus has dense clumping roots that help it displace native plants and prevent their regeneration,” she previously told Yahoo.
When spotted, it’s “best to dig it out as it can be resistant to herbicides”, Booth said. “It retards fire and has the potential to alter ecosystems.”
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