This perennial weed can well take over lawn and garden beds . Here are the best ways to insure it .
Creeping Charlie(Glechoma hederacea)is an aggressive weed that prefers dampish , partly shaded areas . However , it grows almost as well in the sun and spread out cursorily into lawns and planting beds . Also scream ground ivy , the flora isin the mint kinfolk , which is known for its trend to spread .
This shallow - rooted dope has a minty odor when thin or crushed , satisfying root , and small , tubular flowers like other muckle congeneric . Kidney - shaped or rounded leaves with scallop edge grow low to the ground along vining stems or runners . If you endeavor to draw out up this skunk , you ’ll comment that these stems can settle down at each node where the leave-taking confiscate , clear it seem like the plant is hang on for dear life .
Credit:BHG / Kelli Jo Emanuel
BHG / Kelli Jo Emanuel
How to Control Creeping Charlie
Repeatedhand - weedingis an pick if you’vespotted creeping Charlieearly , but you must remove and demolish every bit of the roots . Don’t summate this plant to the compost binbecause it could take ascendent there . It ’s better to pocket it for yard waste pickup .
If creeping Charlie has broadcast throughout a large area , it is difficult to control through deal - weeding alone . When it takes over a distance where you do n’t plan to grow anything for at least six months , you cansmother it under layers of cardboardor canvas of pitch-black plastic . If it ’s in your lawn , a broadleaf herbicide is effective , but it should be use in early fall so the plant takes the product down to its roots , weakening it as it goes torpid for winter . The most efficacious broadleaf herbicide for creeping Charlie carry triclopyr , broadly in combination with 2 , 4 - D , and Dicamba . Standard herbicide without these components do n’t play as well .
Always register and stick to label direction when using herbicides to avoid harm yourself and the environs .
Credit:BHG /Kelli Jo Emanuel
Some years ago , the lotion of borax was paint a picture as a herbicide , but it ’s not effective . In gain , apply borax to the soil , even in small total , make the grunge less able to supportlawn grassesand other suitable plants .
BHG /Kelli Jo Emanuel
How to Keep Creeping Charlie From Returning
The front of creeping Charlie signals that the grow conditions for your lawn may involve to be addressed . Too much shade , wet soil , or poor fertility could be issues . Ahealthy stand of turfmakes it hard for creeping Charlie to overrun your yard . You might prefer toplant a groundcoverthat performs best than lawn pasture can . Any undefendable areas in your landscape , such as planting beds , can be surface area where creeping Charlie kill up . Keep the area well - mulchedto deoxidise problem with it and other weeds .
Frequently Asked Questions
As a perennial , mouse Charlie can be weigh on to return every spring , whether you wish it or not .
grovel Charlie and Swedish ivy ( also referred to as fawn Charlie ) are two different plants . They resemble one another , and both are part of the mint crime syndicate Lamiaceae . mouse Charlie(Glechoma hederacea)is noticeably more invasive than Swedish ivy(Plectranthus verticillatus),which is often grow as an attractive houseplant .
Creeping Charlie blooms in early spring and is easily placeable by its small , pale blue - violet efflorescence .
