Untitled Document

Common Name: Ground Ivy

Scientific Name: Glecoma hederacea


Leaves- Close Up Full Size Image	Frosted Leaves Full Size Image	Flowers Full Size Image
Photo From Weed Science Society of America, www.wssa.net	Photo From Weed Science Society of America, www.wssa.net	Photo From Weed Science Society of America, www.wssa.net

Symptoms	Management
Ground ivy is a member of the mint family, having the characteristic square stems and minty scent when damaged. It grounds low to the ground, twining through a lawn or landscaped area, by rapidly creeping stems that are capable of rooting down at the nodes, but plant height can be up to two feet if growing against a structure for support. Its opposite leaves are round, with scalloped or toothed edges and arise from the stems on petioles. The leaves are normally about one inch across. The leaves resemble those of the common annual geranium, although much smaller. Light blue to bluish-purple, or very rarely white, flowers are produced on 2-3 inch spikes and appear from April to June.	Ground ivy is a perennial, broadleaf weed and can be controlled with a 2,4-D based herbicide. The herbicide will damage or possibly kill any woody or broad-leafed vegetation that comes in contact with the spray, so it must be used with caution. The best time to spray is in autumn, once temperatures have cooled to the 60's or 70's, with no rain forecast for 48 hours. Follow the label directions on when to respray. Do not spray during hot or windy weather, to avoid herbicide drift onto desirable plants. Always follow the label directions carefully. This weed can also be controlled with Borax. Borax contains boron, which is an essential nutrient needed in very tiny amounts for healthy plant growth. Amounts even slightly over what is needed are toxic to plants. Borax can be used against creeping Charlie because the weed is more sensitive to boron than is the grass. Small amounts can kill creeping Charlie without permanently harming the lawn. (Grass may brown a bit, but it will grow out of it.) The problem is, boron does not dissipate or break down like standard weed-killers. If it's applied repeatedly or at too strong a rate, you will end up with an area where you can't grow anything until the boron leaches out. That may take years. At most, you should only treat your lawn with borax once each spring for two years. Here's the formula: dissolve eight ounces of a product like Twenty Mule Team Borax into four ounces of warm water, then dilute it in 2 1/2 gallons of water. This should be sprayed evenly over 1,000 square feet of lawn, no more, no less. Once the weed is gone, try to maintain a weed-free lawn through regular and proper mowing, watering, fertilizing, and reducing shade when possible in excessively shady areas. These cultural steps will greatly contribute to a more weed-free lawn by encouraging thicker grass.
Comments
This plant is also commonly known as creeping Charlie, Creeping Jenny, gill-over-the-ground, and haymaids. It can be found throughout Nebraska, but is most common in the eastern half of the state. Usually found in moist, shaded sites.

Symptoms

Management

Ground ivy is a member of the mint family, having the characteristic square stems and minty scent when damaged. It grounds low to the ground, twining through a lawn or landscaped area, by rapidly creeping stems that are capable of rooting down at the nodes, but plant height can be up to two feet if growing against a structure for support.

Its opposite leaves are round, with scalloped or toothed edges and arise from the stems on petioles. The leaves are normally about one inch across. The leaves resemble those of the common annual geranium, although much smaller.

Light blue to bluish-purple, or very rarely white, flowers are produced on 2-3 inch spikes and appear from April to June.

Ground ivy is a perennial, broadleaf weed and can be controlled with a 2,4-D based herbicide. The herbicide will damage or possibly kill any woody or broad-leafed vegetation that comes in contact with the spray, so it must be used with caution. The best time to spray is in autumn, once temperatures have cooled to the 60's or 70's, with no rain forecast for 48 hours. Follow the label directions on when to respray. Do not spray during hot or windy weather, to avoid herbicide drift onto desirable plants. Always follow the label directions carefully.

This weed can also be controlled with Borax. Borax contains boron, which is an essential nutrient needed in very tiny amounts for healthy plant growth. Amounts even slightly over what is needed are toxic to plants. Borax can be used against creeping Charlie because the weed is more sensitive to boron than is the grass. Small amounts can kill creeping Charlie without permanently harming the lawn. (Grass may brown a bit, but it will grow out of it.)

The problem is, boron does not dissipate or break down like standard weed-killers. If it's applied repeatedly or at too strong a rate, you will end up with an area where you can't grow anything until the boron leaches out. That may take years. At most, you should only treat your lawn with borax once each spring for two years. Here's the formula: dissolve eight ounces of a product like Twenty Mule Team Borax into four ounces of warm water, then dilute it in 2 1/2 gallons of water. This should be sprayed evenly over 1,000 square feet of lawn, no more, no less.

Once the weed is gone, try to maintain a weed-free lawn through regular and proper mowing, watering, fertilizing, and reducing shade when possible in excessively shady areas. These cultural steps will greatly contribute to a more weed-free lawn by encouraging thicker grass.

Comments

This plant is also commonly known as creeping Charlie, Creeping Jenny, gill-over-the-ground, and haymaids. It can be found throughout Nebraska, but is most common in the eastern half of the state. Usually found in moist, shaded sites.

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