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New house. Gardening noob.
What is this species and what should I do about it? It's knee-high in places and is encroaching from and completely submerging the bottom of the side fence and I've been advised it would be a great place to raise and house snakes.
This is in Northcote, Melbourne, a couple of blocks from a creek and parkland.
Open to suggestions but I think removing all of it might be best. So, pull it up if possible? Herbicide? Don't want to kill all the other plants its next to.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @daven25. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about removing undergrowth.
Congrats on the new house!
They appear to be Ergeron seaside daisies. I live backing directly onto the bush and have plenty around the garden. In saying that, I've never seen a snake in my garden (snakes in the area, but they are not exactly prolific as I'm in suburbia), but your experience might differ. Snakes are much more likely to take refuge under piles of fallen leaves, in and under woodpiles and within piles of rocks and stones, so make sure you clean areas like that up, too.
To remove the plant, I would cut it back to just above ground level and spritz the freshly cut ends with RoundUp. Use a piece of cardboard as a buffer to prevent overspray from drifting onto nearby plants. Remember your PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, a face mask, a long-sleeved shirt, trousers and enclosed footwear. Alternatively, @Jewelleryrescue's method will work too.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
I'd just get in there with a pair of secateurs @daven25, or a set of hedge trimmers would do the job in a pinch.
Mitchell
