Ground Ivy

Biology

Ground ivy also known as creeping Charlie.This is a very difficult to control perennial broadleaf weed. Often it can be seen growing in the shade. In addition it thrives in moist, rich soils located in shaded areas. It will grow in full sun as well. These traits combined with the ability to produce aggressive rooting stolons.

Identification

This is a perennial broadleaf weed, invades turf through aggressive stolons that creep below the turfgrass canopy. It forms dense, mat-like patches that effectively crowd out surrounding turf. As a member of the mint family, it has distinct square stems, with two leaves branching from each node, and emits an unpleasant odor when crushed or cut. The leaves, round to kidney-shaped with prominent veins and broad, rounded edges, are elevated above the canopy on long petioles (leaf stems), shading and weakening the surrounding turf. Spreading stolons root aggressively at the nodes, making it a challenging weed to control. From April to June, it produces purplish-blue, tubular flowers with red speckles and lobed petals, arranged in groups of three to seven. Ground ivy is often confused with other broadleaf weeds like common mallow or henbit. However, common mallow has rounded stems and sharply toothed leaf edges, while henbit stems do not creep along the ground or root at the nodes.

Cultural control

Ground ivy’s aggressive growth makes it challenging to control with cultural practices. Nevertheless, certain practices can discourage its proliferation. Improving surface drainage, adopting deep but infrequent watering, and aerating compacted soils can encourage the growth of a dense, robust turf, which naturally inhibits ground ivy. Nitrogen fertilization might also contribute to reducing its presence in turf.

Currently, no specific biological control methods are known for ground ivy. However, ongoing research suggests that iron applications might be effective with multiple treatments.

Chemical control is more challenging due to the aggressive nature and resilience of ground ivy’s stolons, limiting the effectiveness of preemergence herbicides. Gallery can help slow its spread by preventing stolon rooting, but the primary focus should be on postemergence herbicides. Regular applications of two- or three-way mixtures that include 2,4-D, dicamba, MCPP, or MCPA may offer reasonable control. Turflon Ester often provides better results. Additionally, herbicide products containing triclopyr or fluroxypyr in two- or three-way mixes are effective. In warm-season turf, Manor, when used with a non-ionic surfactant, can control ground ivy, but multiple applications are usually necessary for sufficient control.