Don’t be fooled by the adorable periwinkle flowers and evergreen leaves. Vinca is EVIL. This invasive plant has been in my yard for too long, but I have finally killed it.
Vinca gets into the yards of gardeners who don’t want it because it looks better, is less likely to spread, and is still sold in some stores. Then it gradually decimates all life. Here it is coming for my tree, killing my star jasmine and moving into my neighbor’s yard.
Luckily, because it’s not as bad as ivy, vinca can be a bit easier to remove. As I did with the ivy, I used black plastic to block the sun. To get rid of vinca, I used cardboard and mulch to suffocate it.
Vinca vine also called periwinkle, is a popular ground cover known for its glossy foliage and cheerful blooms. However its aggressive spreading habit can quickly turn this plant into a nuisance in the garden. To reclaim planting beds and prevent vinca from crowding out desirable plants, elimination is often necessary.
Removing vinca vine completely takes effort and consistency, but it can be accomplished through various eco-friendly methods Here is a comprehensive guide to getting rid of this stubborn invader in your garden
Understanding Vinca Vine Growth
Before tackling removal, it helps to understand what enables vinca to spread so efficiently:
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Trailing stems that root at the nodes when they touch soil.
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Dense mat-like growth that crowds and smothers other plants.
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Ability to thrive in shade, outcompeting native groundcovers.
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Hardy root system that regrows readily from fragments left behind.
Assessing the Infestation
Take stock of the vinca growth in your garden. Check:
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Location – Note beds and areas where it has become dominant.
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Density – Determine if vinca has formed impenetrable mats of vegetation.
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Root depth – Check how far down the root system extends by gently digging.
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Scope – Estimate the total area overrun by vinca in square feet.
This informs the time and effort required for removal. Extensive infestations may need repeating treatments.
Manual Removal Methods
Manual techniques provide the most control when eliminating vinca from beds and borders:
Hand Pulling
Wearing gloves, uproot vinca by grasping stems close to the base and slowly pulling to extract as much root as possible. Removing roots is key to prevent regrowth.
Raking
For large areas smothered by vinca, a heavy rake helps rip up stems and roots from the soil. Rake aggressively across the area to roll up mats.
Digging
Use a spade or garden fork to dig down and under vinca roots. Lever plants up and shake off excess soil. This helps remove deeper root sections.
Cutting Back
Mow or string trim vinca stems to a few inches above ground before digging. This makes pulling easier. Avoid rotary tillers which can spread stems.
Be meticulous about removing every piece of root and stem fragment, as vinca easily regrows from remnants left behind. Plan to hand pull regrowth.
Smothering With Mulch
Smothering vinca by depriving it of light proves effective, especially in large areas. The steps involve:
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Cut back vinca growth as much as possible.
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Cover the entire patch with 3-4 inches of mulch like wood chips, leaves, straw or pine needles.
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Overlap sheets of cardboard before mulching for quicker smothering.
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Add more mulch as settling occurs until vinca is dead.
This eco-friendly approach may take several months but avoids chemicals. Replenish mulch as needed.
Solarizing For Smaller Areas
Solarizing uses the sun’s heat to kill vinca roots in targeted spots:
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Remove top growth by hand pulling stems.
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Water the area to moisten deeply.
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Cover with clear plastic sheeting and seal the edges with soil or rocks.
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Leave sealed for 1-2 months through summer. Heat builds up and destroys roots.
Follow-up Efforts Are Crucial
Eliminating vinca requires persistence as broken roots and stems left behind easily regrow. After initial removal:
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Carefully hand pull any new sprouts that emerge.
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Spot treat regrowth with an herbicide containing triclopyr.
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Re-cover areas with mulch to deter growth.
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Monitor weekly and stay vigilant over the next growing seasons.
Catching regrowth early before it re-establishes prevents vinca from reclaiming garden space.
What To Plant After Removing Vinca
The bare space left after eliminating vinca offers an opportunity to redesign with desirable plants. Choose tough, competitive growers to hold their own against potential vinca regrowth. Some options include:
Ground Covers
- Creeping phlox
- Ajuga
- Sedums
- Creeping thyme
- Wild ginger
Shrubs
- Evergreens like juniper or boxwood
- Rhododendron and azalea
- Compact bamboos
Perennials
- Ferns
- Epimedium
- Geranium
- Hosta
Select plants adapted for the light and moisture levels in that area. Local native plants work well.
Preventing Vinca Reinfestation
Follow these organic tips to discourage vinca regrowth after removal:
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Apply 3-4 inches of bark mulch or pine straw annually to inhibit growth. Mulch decomposes and improves soil.
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Use corn gluten-based weed preventers to block seed germination in spring. Reapply every 4-6 weeks.
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Maintain a dense cover of desired plants like ground covers to outcompete any vinca.
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Hand pull stray vinca sprouts early before extensive roots form.
With repeated diligence, you can eradicate vinca vine and reclaim your garden beds for good.
When Is Vinca Vine Invasiveness a Concern?
Vinca vine, also called periwinkle, has qualities that make it potentially invasive in certain climates and conditions:
In Moist Shady Areas
The aggressive spreading habit enables vinca to dominate moist, shady environments where other groundcovers struggle. It displaces native woodland plants.
In Temperate Southern Climates
From USDA zones 7-10, vinca frequently escapes controlled borders due to prolific growth. It invades parks, forests and other natural areas.
Where Allowed to Spread Freely
Unchecked vinca readily expands beyond desired locations. Stems rooting at nodes enable quick colonization of large areas.
Is Vinca Vine Considered Invasive in My Area?
Check state or local invasive plant lists, such as those compiled by university extension services, to see if vinca is labeled as problematic in your region. This provides a legal basis for removal requirements.
Dangers of Vinca Vine Invasiveness
Neglecting invasive vinca can have detrimental ecosystem impacts:
- Displaces native groundcovers and understory plants.
- Alters soil chemistry as vast mats decompose.
- Obstructs forest regeneration and growth of new trees.
- Reduces biodiversity as monocultures spread over large areas.
Controlling invasive vinca protects natural plant communities and ecological balance on your property and beyond.
Responsible Gardening With Vinca Vine
You can still enjoy vinca in your garden by following responsible practices:
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Select less aggressive sterile varieties that produce no seeds.
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Plant vinca intermixed with other perennials and groundcovers. Avoid massive blocks of vinca.
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Monitor borders and prune back runners extending beyond desired boundaries.
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Remove vinca from any areas where it begins to spread out of control.
With attentive management and prompt removal where needed, vinca vine can be contained for ornamental use while preventing unchecked invasion.
Smother Vinca With Cardboard
A more natural way to keep weeds out is to use cardboard. It will block the light and kill the vinca as it breaks down and feeds the soil.
Use non-glossy cardboard, and remove any staples and tape. Lay it over the vinca roots, overlapping by about six inches to prevent gaps.
Some people also wet the cardboard to help hold it in place and start the decomposition process.
Remove Vinca From Nearby Plants
When left unchecked, vinca tends to invade surrounding plants, shrubs, trees…mailboxes, decks. Start by carefully pulling it away from everything you want to keep in your yard.
Try to rip out the vinca roots, since these areas won’t be under the smothering cardboard. Gardening gloves help.
Vinca was growing through my star jasmine plant, and it was tricky to tell the vines apart. It had brown vines with some new green shoots, but the vinca had thinner vines that were all green.
I sifted through the star jasmine and removed all the vinca I could find.
Vinca was also starting to climb up my tree and damage the bark. I gently pulled it off the tree.
How To Remove Vinca and English Ivy
FAQ
Will vinegar kill vinca?
How do you remove invasive vinca?
How do you stop vinca from spreading?
Is vinca hard to get rid of?
How do you kill Vinca vines?
If you have a large area covered in vinca and need to kill the vines, consider using a herbicide. However, be cautious when using herbicides and only use them as a last resort. A 3-4% triclopyr 4 with a good surfactant sprayed during the dormant season can be effective in killing the vines without harming surrounding vegetation.
What can be used as a substitute for white wine vinegar?
Champagne vinegar is another mild wine-based vinegar. Fermented rice and has a sweet and mild flavor. It is mainly used in Asian cuisine. Apple cider vinegar made from fermented apples, apple cider vinegar. All being a great option.
How do you get rid of Vinca?
During summer, maintain the vinca’s spread by digging out the edges where it encroaches onto other areas with a garden rake or a weeding tool. Solarization, or using a clear plastic to cover the area, can heat the soil and eliminate persistent roots. With the arrival of autumn, a more rigorous approach is necessary.
What happens if you don’t get rid of a vinca vine?
In addition to crowding out desirable vegetation, the vinca vine can cause problems with drainage due to its dense root system that prevents water from filtering into the soil. If you don’t get rid of the vinca vine in your yard or garden soon enough, it’s likely to spread and become increasingly difficult to remove.
How do you keep Vinca vines from dying?
I lay down layers of cardboard or black tarp to block sunlight, which Vinca vines require to survive. The layers should overlap to leave no room for the vines to sneak through. Over time, this lack of light and air suffocates the Vinca, and it eventually dies.
How do you remove Vinca from a tree?
Seal all plant parts in a plastic bag and discard them to prevent regrowth. Another manual removal method is to cover the area with a black tarp or plastic after manually removing as much of the vinca as possible. Secure it well with rocks, logs, or whatever it takes to ensure no light goes to the leftover roots of the plant.