Managing Creeping Charlie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2008

Lawns in shade areas are rarely very vigorous or dense and thus may be prone to weed invasion. Two of the more common broadleaf wees invading shade lawns are ground ivy and violets. Both are very difficult to control.

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederaceae), also called creeping charlie, is a common lawn weed problem. Lawns in shade areas and often with poorly drained fertile soil are typical sites for ground ivy to develop into a major problem. This plant may form extensive patches as it creeps along the soil and can move into sun areas. Stems are square. Leaves are arranged opposite of each other along stems, and are round to somewhat kidney shaped with rounded, toothed margins. Crushed leaves have a minty odor. Ground ivy has small funnel-shaped purplish-blue flowers appearing from Apri to June.

To keep ground ivy from invading lawns, maintain a thick lawn by proper lawn care practices. Unfortunately, grasses in shade areas are not as competitive against weeds as those in full sun. Reduce shade by pruning. In some shade situations, the ground ivy actually functions quite well as a groundcover. Likewise, violets may be desirable in some woodland areas.

Although control is difficult, existing ground ivy can be treated with postemergences broadleaf herbicides in the period from mid spring to early summer and/or mid to late fall. Regardless of the time, make sure the weeds are actively growing. For ground ivy, suggested herbicides contain dicamba. Three-way broadleaf herbicide combinations (one product containing all three herbicides) that include 2, 4-D (2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid); mecoprop or MCPP (2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) propionic acid); and dicamba (3, 6-dichloro-o-anistic acid) may provide the best control.