Very aggressive vine -- identification and eradication? - Ask Extension
A very aggressive vine has infested my yard. It climbs over everything, and propagates itself underground as well. Photo of a small shoot attached...
Knowledgebase
Very aggressive vine -- identification and eradication? #395022
Asked April 21, 2017, 10:42 AM EDT
A very aggressive vine has infested my yard. It climbs over everything, and propagates itself underground as well. Photo of a small shoot attached. How can I figure out what it is, and how to control it?
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
That looks like Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) an aggressive, deciduous vine with bluish-black, bloomy fruit (only noticed after the leaves have fallen) and good red fall color. The plant gets spread by birds eating and depositing the fruits.
There's no good control other than persistent pruning, digging out the roots, or application of a systemic herbicide containing glyphosate that will kill the plant root and all. If you opt for the herbicide, follow the directions on the label carefully because it glyphosate is non-selective; if it drifts to nearby plants you want to keep, those will be killed, too.
There's no good control other than persistent pruning, digging out the roots, or application of a systemic herbicide containing glyphosate that will kill the plant root and all. If you opt for the herbicide, follow the directions on the label carefully because it glyphosate is non-selective; if it drifts to nearby plants you want to keep, those will be killed, too.
