HP Greenscapes

19/10/2026

On this weeks pest plant watch we have... Privet 🌿

Both Chinese Privet (Ligustrum Sinense) and Tree Privet (Ligustrum Lucidum) are a major invasive pest plant here in Northland.

🍇 These woody evergreens and semi deciduous shrubs produce thousands of dark purplish-black berries which are eaten and scattered widely by birds, allowing this nasty w**d to spread very rapidly.
🌥️ Privets form dense, dark, multi-layered stands that block sunlight and prevent Northland's native plant and tree regeneration.
🌳 They tolerate shade, frost, drought, dampness, wind, and poor soil, making them extremely hardy and long-lasting.
🌾 Privet leaves and berries are poisonous to humans and most animals. They also have very strong-scented flowers and pollen that can trigger allergies, hay fever, or asthma symptoms.

What to do?
Small seedlings and plants should be pulled out by hand at every opportunity, making sure to remove the entire root system so they do not re-sprout.
Medium to large trees require the cut and past method. (cut the trunk low and immediately, or within 15s, apply an herbicide gel to the fresh stump)
Always follow up. Untreated stumps will aggressively re-sprout. Re-check and treat areas every six months until the infestation is cleared. 🍂

For a hand eradicating any Privets on your property give HP Greenscapes a call now!
📞 027 275 4225 🍀

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

We have an abundance of transformations for you to see from this past week.

Now that the sun is back out and those cold snaps are finally gone, it's the perfect time to get stuck into your garden. ☀️🍀
We're moving into a great window of growth for many plants as the weather warms up. If you've been waiting to trim back your hibiscus or your hedges, now is the time to do it!

Give HP Greenscapes a call now for all your hedge trimming, tree pruning and more! 📞 027 275 4225

12/10/2026

On this weeks pest plant watch we have Wild Ginger. 🌿
(Kahili ginger and yellow ginger)

Both species prefer forest environments, where soils are fertile and damp, thus wild ginger has been termed a 'forest invader.'

Wild ginger can successfully multiply when rhizomes are damaged. Wild ginger thrives in native bush, on road sides and riverbanks. 🌱
Due to it's all smothering nature, it will eventually take over all other species, being extremely shade tolerant, somewhat tolerant of frost and drought and can withstand immersion in sea water.

What to do?
Small seedlings can effectively be pulled out by hand and disposed of.
Small clumps can be dug out, as long as all of the root system is removed and disposed of safely. Rhizomes can be placed in a black plastic bag and rotted, or placed in a weak herbicide mix, dried then burned.
Larger clumps may need to be sprayed if root system is still in the ground.

If you need a hand to deal with wild ginger give HP Greenscapes a call now! 📞 027 275 4225

09/10/2026

Out with the old, and ready for the new! 🌿✨

Swipe through to see the transformation of this giant Strobilanthes. We went from this massively overgrown space to a nice clean slate, through full removal and stump grinding.

This area is now ready for refreshing! 🌸

Contact HP Greenscapes today for your transformation.
📞 027 275 4225

05/10/2026

Pest plant of the week is...

🌿 Gorse! (Ulex Europaeus) 🌿

Gorse is a hardy, evergreen shrub that is a major concern here in Northland. Our region's warm, subtropical climate and high rainfall cause this aggressive European shrub to grow larger, flower twice a year, and spread far more vigorously than it does in its native environment.

This w**d produces up to 6 million seeds per hectare every year via explosive seed pods. These seeds can remain dormant and viable in Northland's soil for 40 to 80 years, making eradication a multi-generational battle.

The risk to our native ecosystems is significant. 🍃

By controlling its spread, we can help protect our natural flora and fauna from the detrimental effects of gorse and keep our ecosystems healthy. 🪻

If you are dealing with a gorse infestation on your property and need a hand to eliminate it-
Give HP Greenscapes a call now!

📞 027 275 4225

31/08/2026

🌴This week began with the removal of a heavily leaning Strelitzia.🌾
We pieced it down safely to leave a nice neat stump for the client.🌿
Call HP Greenscapes for your quote now!
📞027 275 4225

28/08/2026

🌳Check out these subtle but transformative before and afters for the week. 🌿

If you have an area that needs reviving, get in touch with HP Greenscapes now!

📞 Call 027 275 4225 for a quote today

26/08/2026

🌿Pest plant of the week is: Woolly Nightshade (to***co w**d)🌿

Woolly nightshade, more commonly known as to***co w**d, is a serious environmental w**d that can have a major impact on native forest regeneration.

🌱 It can effectively poison the soil making it difficult for native seedlings to establish and preventing the natural regeneration of native forests.

🌳☁️ Woolly nightshade is moderately shade tolerant and frost tolerant, allowing it to persist an establish in a range of conditions.

🌸It can flower and fruit at any time of year, producing large numbers of viable seeds that help it spread rapidly and establish new infestations.

⚠️ Handle with care: the fine hairs covering the leaves cam be irritating to humans, so avoid direct contact and take appropriate precautions when working around this plant.

Keeping on top of woolly nightshade helps protect our native eco systems and gives native seedlings the chance to thrive.💚

21/08/2026

A good trim or removal can make all the difference to your space.
Check out some of our before and afters from the week
Give HP Greenscapes a call if you're in need or trimming, pruning, or removals. 🌳
📞 027 275 4225