Often, we designate a plant as a weed because it is invasive.
This fact is not surprising: The most effective ground covers spread vigorously.
This aggressive quality makes them useful in suppressing weeds, preventing erosion, etc.
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However, it also has a lot to do with why they’re invasive.
Periwinkle is one of them.
Periwinkle plantis a vine-like perennial.
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It has evergreen leaves and small flowers.
The flowers can be lavender, blue, purple, or white.
But it is toxic to pets as well as invasive.
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To remove periwinkle plant, begin by hand-pulling it.
But some roots will be left behind, which you must dig out completely.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
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English ivyis not grown for its flower.
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A climber, it can even adorn the sides of buildings.
However, its rootlets can damage a building’s siding.
It is also toxic (to both people and pets) and invasive.
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Lay a tarp over the area for a year or so to keep any ivy remnants from popping up.
It spreads via runners to form a mat effective at suppressing weeds.
But some consider bugleweed, itself to be a weed, due to its invasive tendencies.
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To get rid of bugleweed, first water the ground where it is growing to loosen the soil.
Then dig it out, trying to get as much of the root system as possible.
It has attractive lavender-purple flowers.
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It can spread out of control, however, making it a potential weed.
Spotted dead nettle eradication begins with watering its soil to loosen it.
Then dig out as many of its roots as possible.
If it comes back (and it may), repeat the process.
However, this is another ground cover that is both toxic and invasive.
Lily of the valley is hard to get rid of.
Because of its native status, it is not classified as an invasive there.
Under the right conditions, however, mayapple can become aggressive enough to force you to curb its growth.
But its “weed” status comes from the fact that it is toxic to humans and animals.
To remove mayapple from your property, dig it out after wetting the soil.
check that you get as much of the root system as possible.
It bears an attractive head of red berries.
