Asparagus aethiopicus

What is Bushy Asparagus?

Bushy Asparagus (AKA Sprengers Asparagus) is a perennial groundcover plant with sprawling wiry stems to 2 metres long, arising from underground rhizomes. The small flat needle-like leaves are arranged in clusters of 2-5, 15-25mm long by 2-3mm wide. Tiny (3-4mm long) white to pinkish flowers are followed by small berries that turn from green to bright red. The plant can cover a sizable area of ground, smothering other plants and competing for soil moisture with its dense root mat. It's quite difficult to eradicate.

Sometimes Bushy Asparagus is confused with Foxtail Fern (Asparagus aethopicus ‘Meyersii’) which isn't currently a problem weed in NZ. Foxtail fern has perky upright stems with bushier foliage, whereas Bushy Asparagus has more rambling, sprawling stems.

How to protect your plants

Yates Zero Tough is our go-to control, although seedlings and small plants can be pulled out by hand if you prefer. Larger plants can be dug out ensuring that the entire root system is removed.

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