Why Those Foreign 'aggies' Are Asking For Trouble

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday November 22, 2005

H. E. Hayward (Letters, November 21) may be surprised to learn that those "humble" agapanthus plants being vandalised at present are also considered to be weeds by those who care about the overall welfare of our native flora. Perhaps those North Shore gardens that are being vandalised would be better off if those alluring "aggies" were replaced by some other types of plants (perhaps even natives) that are not likely to spread into the bush environment and become pests.

Maureen King Lane Cove

I may be able to spread some light on the mystery of why the agapanthus are so regularly decapitated before we have a chance to enjoy their blooms. When I remonstrated with the lads who were enthusiastically punching the heads off the agapanthus outside my house, they cheerily explained that "everybody does this because they are known as the uppercutty flowers".

On this occasion I prevailed on them to stop but you can see how tantalising it must be to have those stupid flowers leading with the chin like that.

Claire O'Connor Gosford

To the worried Turramurra gardeners, the best advice I can offer is a quote from my late mother's (unpublished but orally handed down even unto the third and fourth generation) book of sayings. Put up a notice at the front gate that reads: "Beware of the agapanthus. If it attacks, walk slowly backwards but don't run."

Penelope Grace Layton-Caisley

Marrickville

Last year I saw a row of agapanthus, on a nature strip, with every bloom intact. Someone had tied rose prunings (complete with thorns) up the stem of each flower.

You can only imagine some destructive little bastard grabbing a stem to run their hand up it to dislodge the flower head. Ouch.

The only problem is, the flower decapitator may sue.

Patrick St George Narrandera

© 2005 Sydney Morning Herald

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