Replacement for African Milk-Bush

[Rod Out Back]

Folks,

We have an African Milk-Bush growing along the Northern side of our
house, and it has done quite well over the past 15 years. By the time
the 4 adult plants hd established, we had a veritable jungle of green
along the verandah.
However, the original plant has died, and the next-oldest plant is
looking like it might go the same way, and I got to wondering about
alternatives.

The reason we like it? it has largeish waxy leaves that are bright
green. The green tree frog guild think it's THE place to sleep the day
away. This is the main appeal of this plant; its a frog-magnet.

The downside is the white rubbery sap isnt all that appealling, but
thankfully it doesnt seem to be too much of a problem. Unlike the
monster caustic soda bush (about 6 metres high) in the back yard.

My question is; does anyone know of a Native Australian tree or shrub
that has similar leaves to the african milk bush? s there an
Australian version of this bush? I'd like to start planting something
that is as attractive to the frog guild.

Thanks in advance,


Cheers,

Rod.....Out Back

[Chookie]

In article >,
Rod Out Back > wrote:

> The reason we like it? it has largeish waxy leaves that are bright
> green. The green tree frog guild think it's THE place to sleep the day
> away. This is the main appeal of this plant; its a frog-magnet.
>
> The downside is the white rubbery sap isnt all that appealling, but
> thankfully it doesnt seem to be too much of a problem.

Except that it's poisonous to stock and small children, as well as a bit
caustic!

> Unlike the
> monster caustic soda bush (about 6 metres high) in the back yard.

So who was organising the poisonous plant arboretum at your place?!

> My question is; does anyone know of a Native Australian tree or shrub
> that has similar leaves to the african milk bush? s there an
> Australian version of this bush? I'd like to start planting something
> that is as attractive to the frog guild.

Hmmm, I'd be contacting your local Australian Plants Society people, and
possibly Landcare and Greening Australia, because what I'd suggest for Sydney
would probably not suit your area.

This article is about gardening in Hughenden -- if you are on black soil,
perhaps you could look at some of these species -- particularly Hibiscus
tiliaceus:

http://www.sgapqld.org.au/article6.html

Let us know what you decide on!

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"In Melbourne there is plenty of vigour and eagerness, but there is
nothing worth being eager or vigorous about."
Francis Adams, The Australians, 1893.

[Rod Out Back]

On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 23:17:39 +1100, Chookie
> wrote:

>In article >,
> Rod Out Back > wrote:
>
>> The reason we like it? it has largeish waxy leaves that are bright
>> green. The green tree frog guild think it's THE place to sleep the day
>> away. This is the main appeal of this plant; its a frog-magnet.
>>
>> The downside is the white rubbery sap isnt all that appealling, but
>> thankfully it doesnt seem to be too much of a problem.
>
>Except that it's poisonous to stock and small children, as well as a bit
>caustic!
>
>> Unlike the
>> monster caustic soda bush (about 6 metres high) in the back yard.
>
>So who was organising the poisonous plant arboretum at your place?!
>
>> My question is; does anyone know of a Native Australian tree or shrub
>> that has similar leaves to the african milk bush? s there an
>> Australian version of this bush? I'd like to start planting something
>> that is as attractive to the frog guild.
>
>Hmmm, I'd be contacting your local Australian Plants Society people, and
>possibly Landcare and Greening Australia, because what I'd suggest for Sydney
>would probably not suit your area.
>
>This article is about gardening in Hughenden -- if you are on black soil,
>perhaps you could look at some of these species -- particularly Hibiscus
>tiliaceus:
>
>http://www.sgapqld.org.au/article6.html
>
>Let us know what you decide on!

Chookie,

Toxic bush collection seems to have been something my grandmother
started many years ago. Maybe she didnt like grandchildren!
Thankfully, with the exception of the monster Caustic soda bush, we
have cleaned most of them out over time. I think the milk-bush is much
later, but it lurks in a hard-to-reach part of the garden, so doesnt
cause any problems to the (few) visiting kids. The frog guild reckon
it's pretty darn fine!

The one saving grace of the Caustic Soda Bush/tree/behemoth is that
about 10 species of bird have raised countless generations of chicks
in its banches. it is a very social tree, and so has survived many
thoughts of bulldozing... It's not able to spread here, so is well
contained.

Thanks for the link; Hughenden is right on the edge of the same soil
type as we have here, so I'll have a look at it in the morning.

Thanks again.


Cheers,

Rod.....Out Back