Tradescantia (Wandering Willie)
This shade-loving groundcover has glossy green leaves and soft, trailing stems that root wherever they touch the soil. It forms dense mats that block light and prevent other plants (including natives) from establishing. It rarely sets seed in New Zealand but spreads easily from tiny stem fragments—often via dumped garden waste, mowers, or water flow.
How to get rid of it:
- For small patches: Carefully rake or hand-pull the plants, working from the outside toward the centre. Collect every fragment.
- Dispose of the material in a sealed bag at a transfer station or in a dedicated weed composting bag for at least 12 months (do not put it in regular compost or green waste bins, as fragments can survive and spread).
- For larger areas: Cover with thick black plastic or weed mat for several months to starve it of light, then remove and dispose carefully. Follow up by spot-spraying any regrowth with a suitable herbicide (products containing triclopyr are often recommended for this weed).
- Expect to treat the area more than once—regrowth is common.
Oxalis
Creeping oxalis forms low mats of clover-like leaves (often with yellow or pink flowers), while bulbous forms hide small bulbs underground that make them especially hard to eradicate. It invades garden beds, pots, and lawns, spreading by seed and by the tiny bulbs that break off easily when you dig.
How to get rid of it:
- Hand-weedingworks best for small infestations, but you must remove the entire plant including bulbs. Sieve the soil if possible or dig carefully to avoid leaving pieces behind.
- For established patches: Repeatedly cut or spray the foliage to exhaust the bulbs. Selective herbicides formulated for oxalis or broadleaf weeds can help; non-selective options like glyphosate may be needed for heavy infestations (take care around desirable plants).
- Mulch thickly after clearing to suppress new growth, and avoid moving soil or plants from affected areas without checking for bulbs.
Quick Prevention Tips for East Auckland Gardens
- Mulch garden beds well to reduce light reaching weed seeds and fragments.
- Avoid dumping garden waste in reserves or roadside areas—this is a major way these weeds spread.
- Keep an eye on shady, moist spots and the edges of paths and fences.
- When buying plants or accepting cuttings, inspect carefully for hitchhikers.
Dealing with these two weeds takes persistence, but regular monitoring and thorough removal will keep your East Auckland garden looking tidy and healthy. For local gardening and weeding services in the East Auckland area call Barclay Mowing and Gardens.
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