Ground Ivy in Lawns
By: Sandy Feather
©2007
Penn State
Cooperative Extension
Q. Ground ivy has just about
taken over my lawn. Can you recommend anything to help me get it
under control?
A. Ground ivy (Glechoma
hederacea) is one of the most troublesome and difficult to
control weeds in both lawns and garden beds. Also known as creeping
Charlie or gill-over-the-ground (and many names not suitable for
publication in a family newspaper), ground ivy is a member of the
mint family. For those familiar with the aggressive nature of the
mint family in general, ground ivy's tenacity is no surprise. It
spreads by seeds, as well as by rooting in wherever its vining stem
touches the ground. You may be surprised to learn that early
colonists brought ground ivy with them for culinary and medicinal
purposes. It was used to flavor beer for many years, until it was
replaced by hops. Although it is not native to North America, ground
ivy has naturalized and is found throughout Pennsylvania, the
northeastern United States, and southern Canada. While ground ivy
prefers damp, rich soils, and thrives in the shade, it will grow in
full sun and less than ideal soil just as happily.
Ground Ivy
Left to its own
devices, ground ivy forms a dense mat that quickly crowds out other
plants. Getting it under control in a lawn situation is not simply a
matter of getting rid of the ground ivy. It is equally important to
follow best practices for maintaining a healthy lawn, or else the
ground ivy will grow back from seed and you will be back to square
one. Cultural practices that help your lawn outcompete ground ivy
include:
• Raising your mower's cutting
height to 2.5 to 3 inches. The taller height of cut allows the
grass to shade out germinating weed seeds and helps it maintain a
more
extensive root system. A more extensive root system helps your lawn
survive summer
heat and drought.
• Try not to remove more than
one-third of the grass blade at one time - this may mean that you
have to mow more frequently when the grass is growing vigorously in
spring.
Staying within the "one-third rule" allows the grass to maintain a
healthy reserve
of carbohydrates.
• Have your soil tested and follow
the recommendations for limestone to raise soil pH (or sulfur
to lower soil pH) and fertilizer applications. Maintaining proper
soil pH and
fertility levels is important for optimum performance of your lawn.
• If the area stays moist, take
steps to improve drainage in the area. Soil that stays
constantly moist favors the growth of ground ivy and can cause grass
roots to rot.
• If the area is heavily shaded,
consult with a certified arborist to thin and raise the crown of large
trees. If that is not an option, consider replacing the grass with
shade-tolerant ground covers such as wild ginger (Asarum
canadense), European ginger (Asarum
europaeum), sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), hostas (Hosta
spp.),
creeping lily-turf (Liriope spicata), Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra
terminalis), Allegheny foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia),
creeping myrtle (Vinca minor), or Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia
fragarioides).
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