Not so sweet

Chocolate vine has recently been banned from sale and landowners in the Waikato are required to destroy it.

Dig out any small vines and seedlings, making sure that you remove the root system.

With larger vines, cut the stems at ground level and keep cutting them throughout growing periods.

Larger infestations can be sprayed with a suitable herbicide. Check out waikatoregion.govt.nz/ chocolate-vine or weedbusters.org.nz for more control details.

To replace choclate vine try the native jasmine akakiore or kohia (Passiflora tetrandra).

For non-native alternatives, try the attractive purple coral pea (Hardenbergia violacea) or Chilean jasmine (Mandevilla laxa).

-Weed Watch is supplied by Waikato Regional Council.