These recommendations are primarily for homeowners and communities that would like to start working in their neighborhood greenspace. There are herbicide-free ways to control each species, but we’ve also included an herbicide option for some species for people who are comfortable using them. When choosing these methods, care was taken to keep the soil from being disturbed, herbicides from being used too much, and damage to other species, whether they are plants or animals, as low as possible. Manual removal is possible for all of them if you have the time. However, if the infestation is very bad or these tips aren’t working, you should think about getting professional help.
The best way to get rid of this invasive vine that grows in the ground is to pull it out by hand. This may take some time, but it will cause the least amount of damage to native plants and regrowth.
In areas where thick mats have formed, a hard rake can be helpful in getting started. This tool doesn’t really help pull the plant out of the ground, but it does get rid of a lot of the vines so it’s easier to pull by hand.
When pulling plants out of the ground, pull on one vine at a time to keep the soil from moving too much. Once you take off a piece, shake off the extra dirt from the roots and put the piece in a pile to dry out so it can’t grow back. If you can bag the vines and take them away, you won’t have to worry about pieces of them growing back roots.
“Category” refers to a description of how invasive something is based on data from the Georgia and North Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council (EPPC). It does not always show how bad the invasions are in Atlanta. View our Resource “Atlanta’s Top Invasive Plants (A to Z) Expanded List” for more information.
A great opportunity to learn is volunteering with us at a Forest Restoration project. Please view our Calendar of upcoming service projects or consider enrolling in our annual Forest Stewardship training program. For other species removal, also read: How to Remove Our Top 10 Invasive Plants.
Magnolias are part of an ancient lineage of flowering plants dating back approximately 95 million years. The Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum is home to 18 types of magnolias from evergreen to flowering. Two magnolia trees have a special place in history because they were planted just outside the outfield wall of what used to be Ponce de Leon Park, where the Atlanta Crackers played baseball. Babe Ruth and Eddie Matthews both hit home runs that were caught in the branches of one of these magnolia trees. We took cuttings from these old magnolia trees and grew them into new trees as part of the Arboretum’s experimentation. This way, a piece of history can live on in the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum and in new parks and baseball fields around the city.
The oak trees on this slope and in the Arboretum as a whole show a lot of different types of Georgian ecosystems, from hardwood swamps at the bottom to granite outcrops. Of the approximately 90 species of oaks native to the United States, 33 are native to Georgia. There are 33 oak trees on this slope, and there are 33 stainless steel leaf sculptures dancing between them. One for each tree.
These metal oaks were designed and crafted by David Landis of Landis Sculpture Studio. Learn more about David’s work here. For more information about the individual oaks featured, see our fact sheet here.
To learn more general information about our Georgia oaks, check out this video here.
Among the stateliest of our native trees, beeches are indicative of a mature forest. Beech trees are very important for wildlife, even though it can take them up to 40 years to produce a lot of nuts. Beeches provide food and shelter for all kinds of birds and mammals, such as the red-headed woodpecker. The circle of beech trees around an outdoor classroom and gathering spot made of granite is known as the “fairy ring.” You can think about what the trees will look like in 3, 5, and 10 years.
Periwinkle is an attractive, spreading groundcover often planted for its glossy green foliage, blue flowers, and aggressive growth habit However, that vigorous growth can quickly turn problematic, allowing periwinkle to invade gardens and natural areas
If you need to get rid of periwinkle in your yard or garden, here are some effective control methods
Identify Periwinkle
There are two main species of periwinkle that cause issues:
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Bigleaf periwinkle (Vinca major) – Features larger, rounded leaves that can reach 2″ wide. Bears white to purplish-blue flowers in spring.
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Common periwinkle (Vinca minor) – Has smaller, pointed oval leaves around 1″ wide. Flowers are typically violet-blue.
Both spread aggressively by creeping stems that root at the nodes as they trail along the ground. They thrive in shade and their dense growth smothers out competing plants. Identify periwinkle by the opposite, glossy green leaves and pinwheel-shaped flowers.
Remove Mechanically
Manual removal offers an organic approach to eliminating periwinkle.
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Use a digging fork or shovel to slowly dig up the roots. Remove every piece, as any left behind can re-sprout.
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Alternatively, simply pull out rooted sections by hand. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
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Cut or mow remaining stems to the ground. Repeat cutting/mowing through the season to exhaust the plant.
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After pulling, cover the area with mulch or landscaping fabric to prevent regrowth. Monitor and promptly remove any new shoots.
Manual removal provides permanent control if you thoroughly eliminate the entire root system. It’s labor intensive but avoids herbicide use.
Apply Herbicides
Herbicides provide an efficient chemical control option for large periwinkle infestations:
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Effective systemic herbicide ingredients include glyphosate, triclopyr, 2,4-D and dicamba. Read product labels carefully.
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Apply herbicide in late summer/early fall when periwinkle is actively growing. Avoid spraying during hot, dry weather.
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Use a small paintbrush to wipe herbicide onto individual leaves to avoid contact with desirable plants.
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Take safety precautions – wear gloves, goggles, protective clothing and avoid breathing spray mist.
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Results may take weeks or months as the herbicide translocates through the entire plant. Repeat applications may be needed.
Only use herbicides if absolutely necessary, as they may damage nearby plants and pollute waterways if used improperly. Always follow label directions.
Smother with Mulch or Landscape Fabric
Smothering periwinkle can be very effective at controlling growth:
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Cover the entire patch with 3-4 inches of mulch such as wood chips, leaves or straw. Overlap at least 6 inches beyond the edges.
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Top the mulch with a layer of cardboard for the first 2 months to block all light as the periwinkle dies out.
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Alternatively, install heavy landscape fabric pinned down securely with landscape staples. Overlap seams at least 6 inches.
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Leave the cover in place for at least one growing season until all traces of periwinkle are gone.
Light deprivation causes the invasive groundcover to wither away over time. Just be sure no stems poke through!
Maintain Vigilance After Removal
Periwinkle seeds remain viable in soil for many years. Always monitor carefully and remove any regrowth:
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Walk the area frequently looking for sprouts from remaining seeds or root segments.
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Hand pull new seedlings when small. Dig out larger regrowth.
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Spot treat with herbicide if needed, but avoid widespread spraying.
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Replant with native groundcovers like violets, foamflower, wild ginger or ferns.
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Use mulch or landscape fabric barriers to suppress future weeds and seed germination.
Stopping periwinkle from re-establishing takes commitment, but is necessary for permanent removal.
Tips for Removing Periwinkle
Follow these tips to safely and effectively remove periwinkle:
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Wear protective gloves, long sleeves/pants to avoid skin contact with sap or chemicals.
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Remove vines slowly and carefully to get all roots – every piece left can regrow.
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Solarize the area under clear plastic in summer to bake roots.
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Always follow instructions on herbicide labels and use extreme caution.
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Wash clothes worn during removal separately to avoid spreading seeds.
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Bag and dispose of plant debris – do not compost any pieces.
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Be patient! It takes persistence over multiple years to completely eradicate.
Alternative Groundcovers to Periwinkle
Once removed, replace periwinkle with non-aggressive native groundcovers such as:
- Foamflower
- Wild strawberry
- Partridgeberry
- Wild ginger
- Violets
- Ferns
- Moss phlox
- Creeping raspberry
These provide ecosystem benefits without becoming invasive like periwinkle. Consult local native plant societies for the best species for your location.
Preventing Periwinkle Invasions
To avoid issues down the road:
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Do not plant periwinkle in your garden – choose native groundcover alternatives instead.
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Remove existing periwinkle from your property before it spreads out of control.
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Monitor for unwanted sprouting around yard edges and neighboring natural areas.
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Advise local nurseries not to sell periwinkle – request non-invasive options.
Stopping the spread of periwinkle in gardens and natural spaces protects our ecosystem from this aggressive invader.
Periwinkle’s rapid spread can quickly get out of control. Fortunately, a combination of manual removal, herbicide application, smothering and persistent monitoring can successfully eliminate this invasive groundcover over time. Always take appropriate safety precautions when removing or treating periwinkle. With persistence and dedication over multiple growing seasons, you can eradicate periwinkle and reclaim your garden or land for native plants.
Eastside Azalea Collection
Despite the native azalea holding the title of Georgia’s State Wildflower, it is underused in the landscape. There are now over 300 native azaleas on display at the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum, making it the largest public collection of these plants in the Atlanta area. The collection has more than 25 species, cultivars, and varieties. It also has all 13 azaleas that are native to the state of Georgia. This collection is mostly made up of named cultivars, which are varieties that have been chosen for their color, size, bloom time, and other factors. ) within two series called the Georgia Moon Series and the Sunrise to Sunset Series. In the Georgia Moon Series, fragrant white-blooming Georgia native species will be shown. In the Sunrise to Sunset Series, warm orange, red, and soft yellow Georgia native species will be shown blooming from March to July.
A unique feature in horticulture, the Stumpery Garden is open to the public for learning and exploring and shows how trees can be used in a beautiful way. Stumpery gardens use dead, downed, or storm-damaged trees as an asset to the garden. These trees provide important habitat for beetles, frogs, birds, and small mammals like chipmunks. Whole logs are turned over to show the root structure, and walls and arches are made from logs, branches, and pieces of bark. The goal is for plants like mosses, ferns, lichens, soft grasses, and trailing plants to grow on and around them.
Take a virtual tour of the Stumpery Garden here.
Removing Invasive Vinca: Front Yard Bed Redesign Part 1 – QG Day 86
FAQ
How do you kill periwinkle roots?
Will Roundup kill periwinkle?
Does vinegar kill vinca?
How do I reclaim my garden from periwinkle?
The first step in reclaiming your garden from periwinkle is usually manual removal. Although this method requires a lot of work, it has some advantages. First of all, you can more easily preserve neighboring native plants because you have more control over what you’re eliminating. So what steps should you take? Start by putting on a pair of gloves.
How do I get rid of Periwinkle?
Periwinkle, also known as Vinca minor, is a flowering, evergreen groundcover that can quickly take over a garden and become difficult to manage. Fortunately, there are several herbicides and other chemicals that can be used to effectively get rid of periwinkle. The most effective way to control periwinkle is to use broadleaf herbicides.
Is Periwinkle an invasive weed?
Periwinkle, also known as Vinca minor, is an invasive, perennial weed that can quickly take over a garden or landscape. While periwinkle is often considered a low-maintenance ground cover, it can become difficult to manage if it starts to overtake desirable plants.
How to remove periwinkle ground cover?
Another method to remove periwinkle ground cover is by using vinegar and salt. This method is effective because vinegar contains acetic acid, which can kill plants by drying out their leaves and roots. Salt, on the other hand, can dehydrate the plant and prevent it from absorbing water.