Plant Doctor Archive

Wandering Willie

I HAVE been battling wandering Willie which has taken over a hillside in my garden. Some months ago I sprayed it with Amitrole and now all the growing tips are white. If I continue to leave it, will the plants completely die and rot away or should I remove all the foliage? I am afraid that the roots will sprout again.

THE white tips are a sign the Amitrole is working. It can take several months to take full effect and for the weeds to die off. With a serious infestation of wandering Willie, you can apply another spray of Amitrole to make sure enough of the active ingredient is taken up by the plants to completely kill them right down to the roots. If there are still green leaves on the weed, below the whitened tips, you could give it another spray.

Be patient; don't pull them up, as you may leave pieces that could grow again. And be careful with Amitrole - it will damage most plants it comes in contact with, so avoid getting it on nearby trees or shrubs.

Reproduced with permission from the former Weekend Gardener magazine. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the RNZIH.