Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is also called wild morning glory, combind, greenvine, and lovevine. It is unsightly in lawns, fences, shrubs, and has been the bane of my gardening existence since I remember first trying to pull it out of the garden as a kid. It grows like crazy and winds itself around the plants you love and want to keep.
It comes from Eurasia and was sadly sold as an ornamental plant in the U.S. in the early 1800s. It spread throughout much of Utah and beyond by the end of that century. In fact, it’s so widespread that it goes by 84 different names in 29 different languages.
It’s difficult to control because it can spread 20-30 feet and grows roots as deep as 20 feet. Seeds are viable for up to 50 years. This herbaceous perennial is most vulnerable in the fall when the plant circulates sugars created in the leaves down into the root system for winter food storage.
Unfortunately, minimizing the damage is all you can really do in the spring and summer, the roots run deep and the broadleaf weed killer doesn’t get circulated far enough down into the roots. Carfetrezone (Fertilome Weed Free Zone) is a good broadleaf weed killer to apply. Glyphosate (Hi Yield Killzall) can also be applied where non-selective (kills everything it touches) weed killer can be applied. It’s best when mixed with a Hi Yield spreader sticker, a surfactant which helps the poison stick to and penetrate the plant leaves.
You’ll want to treat in spring and summer to keep your yard looking good, but let enough top regrowth occur for the fall campaign to eradicate the weed. You’ll need to be persistent though, sometimes it takes multiple years to win this war!
Don’t forget to follow the label instructions on any of the chemicals you use in your garden. Sometimes instructions change. If you have any questions, just ask one of our expert gardeners and we’ll be glad to answer any questions.
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