Periwinkle ground cover may seem like a charming addition to your garden, but it can quickly become an invasive nightmare.
This persistent plant can spread beyond its intended boundaries, crowding out native species and wreaking havoc on your carefully curated landscape.
While herbicides may be effective, they’re not always the best option for those who prefer a non-toxic approach.
Luckily, there are several methods you can use to eliminate periwinkle without resorting to harmful chemicals.
In this article, we’ll explore some tried-and-true techniques for getting rid of periwinkle ground cover once and for all.
Whether you prefer digging and pulling by hand or using smothering techniques, we’ve got you covered.
So grab your gloves and let’s get started!
How To Kill Periwinkle Ground Cover
1. Dig and Pull by Hand: One of the most effective ways to get rid of periwinkle ground cover is to dig and pull it out by hand. Start by making a 2-foot trench around the area and loosening the first section of roots. Then, pull as you dig further into the bed, loosening the soil as you go. The next season, if you see any small plants forming, immediately dig them out. In this way, you will be able to get rid of the ground cover permanently in a couple of years and allow other plants to take over the area.
2. Use Vinegar: Vinegar is a natural herbicide that can weaken periwinkle plants. Add 2 oz. liquid hand dishwashing liquid to a gallon of white vinegar. Stir slowly to avoid creating excessive bubbles. Pour into a garden sprayer and apply generously to the cut periwinkle plants. Flood the soil of the affected area with the vinegar solution. Don’t expose desirable plants to the solution, which kills indiscriminately.
3. Smothering: Another effective way to kill periwinkle ground cover is by smothering it with black plastic or weedmat. Cover sites as they are or rake into big rolls and then cover (6+ months). Hand-remove surviving plants.
4. Solarization: If no other plants you want to save are in the area, and the area isn’t too large, solarization can be an effective option. Cut back all growth to ground level and then cover the periwinkle with thick layers of cardboard or black plastic and weight down the edges to prevent the material from blowing away. This starves the plants of sunlight and water (in the case of plastic), and eventually they die.
5. Mowing: For level, easily accessed land, mow with lawnmower on very low setting, 2-3 times a year. As it regrows, follow up by grubbing remaining roots with grubber or shovel. Leave on site to rot down. Takes 1-2 years to eradicate.
Understanding Periwinkle Ground Cover
Periwinkle ground cover, also known as Vinca minor, is an evergreen perennial that is commonly used for covering the ground to prevent weed growth and for planting in difficult areas. It is a low-growing plant that spreads quickly by sending out long trailing and rooting shoots, which make new plants. While it can be a great addition to any garden or landscape, it can become invasive and difficult to control if left unchecked.
One of the reasons periwinkle ground cover can be difficult to get rid of is because it has a deep root system that can regenerate even after being cut back. This means that simply cutting the plant back or mowing it down will not necessarily kill it. In fact, it may even encourage new growth.
To effectively get rid of periwinkle ground cover, it is important to understand the root system and how the plant spreads. The best way to do this is by digging and pulling out the plants by hand. This method involves making a 2-foot trench around the area and loosening the first section of roots. Then, pull as you dig further into the bed, loosening the soil as you go. This method may take a couple of years to completely eradicate the plant, but it is one of the most effective methods.
Another method for killing periwinkle ground cover is by using vinegar. Vinegar is a natural herbicide that can weaken periwinkle plants. To use vinegar, add 2 oz. liquid hand dishwashing liquid to a gallon of white vinegar. Pour into a garden sprayer and apply generously to the cut periwinkle plants. Flood the soil of the affected area with the vinegar solution. However, be careful not to expose desirable plants to the solution, which kills indiscriminately.
Smothering and solarization are also effective methods for killing periwinkle ground cover. Smothering involves covering the affected area with black plastic or weedmat for 6+ months, while solarization involves cutting back all growth to ground level and then covering the periwinkle with thick layers of cardboard or black plastic. Both methods starve the plants of sunlight and water, eventually causing them to die.
Lastly, mowing can also be an effective method for getting rid of periwinkle ground cover. This method involves mowing the plants on a very low setting 2-3 times a year and then following up by grubbing remaining roots with a grubber or shovel. The remaining roots can be left on-site to rot down. However, it may take 1-2 years to completely eradicate the plant using this method.
Why You Should Get Rid Of Periwinkle
Periwinkle, also known as Vinca minor, is a ground cover that can be extremely difficult to control once it takes hold. While it may seem like a great solution for filling in problem areas or controlling erosion, periwinkle can quickly become invasive and spread beyond its intended boundaries. Once it starts to encroach into forested areas, it can crowd out and displace native plants, disrupting the natural ecosystem.
One of the biggest challenges with periwinkle is that it is difficult to eradicate. It can quickly become a noxious weed that requires constant attention and effort to control. If left unchecked, it can take over an entire area and make it nearly impossible to grow anything else.
Getting rid of periwinkle is important not only for the health of your garden or landscape, but also for the health of the surrounding ecosystem. By removing this invasive species, you are helping to preserve the natural balance of plants and animals in your area. It may take time and effort to get rid of periwinkle, but it is well worth it in the end.
Non-Toxic Methods For Killing Periwinkle
While some people resort to using toxic herbicides to kill periwinkle ground cover, there are non-toxic methods that can be just as effective. Here are a few options:
1. Dig and Pull by Hand: This method may be time-consuming, but it is effective and safe for the environment. Start by digging a trench around the area and loosening the first section of roots. Then, pull as you dig further into the bed, loosening the soil as you go. The next season, if you see any small plants forming, immediately dig them out. In this way, you will be able to get rid of the ground cover permanently in a couple of years and allow other plants to take over the area.
2. Use Vinegar: Vinegar is a natural herbicide that can weaken periwinkle plants. Mix two ounces of liquid hand dishwashing soap with a gallon of white vinegar. Pour the solution into a garden sprayer and apply generously to the cut periwinkle plants. Flood the soil of the affected area with the vinegar solution. Be careful not to expose desirable plants to the solution, which kills indiscriminately.
3. Smothering: Another effective way to kill periwinkle ground cover is by smothering it with black plastic or weedmat. Cover sites as they are or rake into big rolls and then cover (6+ months). Hand-remove surviving plants.
4. Solarization: If no other plants you want to save are in the area, and the area isn’t too large, solarization can be an effective option. Cut back all growth to ground level and then cover the periwinkle with thick layers of cardboard or black plastic and weight down the edges to prevent the material from blowing away. This starves the plants of sunlight and water (in the case of plastic), and eventually they die.
5. Mowing: For level, easily accessed land, mow with lawnmower on a very low setting, two to three times a year. As it regrows, follow up by grubbing remaining roots with a grubber or shovel. Leave on site to rot down. This method takes one to two years to eradicate periwinkle ground cover.
By using these non-toxic methods, you can effectively get rid of periwinkle ground cover without harming the environment or other plants in the area.
Digging And Pulling By Hand
Digging and pulling by hand is a labor-intensive but effective way to get rid of periwinkle ground cover. It is important to wear garden gloves when pulling the runners out by hand to protect your hands from blistering. Start by making a 2-foot trench around the area and loosening the first section of roots. Then, pull as you dig further into the bed, loosening the soil as you go. It is important to remove all loose pieces of periwinkle from the area and dispose of them in a black plastic bag or burn them. Any piece of the plant left behind can be one more way for it to spread.
It may take a couple of years to completely remove periwinkle from your property using this method, but it is a non-toxic removal that is effective. The next season, if you see any small plants forming, immediately dig them out. Persistence and patience are key when using this method. Ask family and friends to come help and make it a party with some music and pizzas to keep you going.
Remember to never add periwinkle to your compost pile as it can easily root from cuttings. Also, do not use a weedwhacker or mower on your periwinkle patch as it can make the problem worse. Take your time and pull one plant at a time until you have removed all of them. This way, you will be able to get rid of the ground cover permanently and allow other plants to take over the area.
Smothering Periwinkle With Mulch Or Tarps
Another effective way to kill periwinkle ground cover is by smothering it with mulch or tarps. This method works well in conjunction with manual removal. Once you clear the area as much as possible, cover it with a black tarp or non-glossy cardboard. Make sure to secure it well with rocks, logs, or whatever it takes. Don’t let any light go to the leftover roots of the plant. Leave the plastic on for at least 6 weeks, but it might be better to leave it on for several months, just to make sure those roots are dead.
Alternatively, gather up some large cardboard boxes (from big appliances like refrigerators and stoves). Remove any packing tape from the boxes. Lay the cardboard on the ground where you manually removed as much of the periwinkle as possible. Overlap adjoining sheets by at least a foot, to make sure no new growth can find its way between two pieces of cardboard. Cover the cardboard with about four inches of wood mulch. Let it be for a couple of years, adding more wood mulch as needed to keep the area looking tidy. The rain will help the cardboard decompose, and the periwinkle vines will die because of a lack of light and air.
Cardboard acts as a more natural weed barrier that will block the light and kill the periwinkle as it slowly breaks down and feeds the soil. Use non-glossy cardboard, and remove any staples and tape. Lay it over the periwinkle 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.
Solarization: Using The Sun To Kill Periwinkle
Solarization is a natural way to kill periwinkle ground cover by using the sun’s heat to deprive the plants of sunlight and water. This method is effective if no other plants you want to save are in the area and the area isn’t too large. To begin, cut back all growth to ground level and then cover the periwinkle with thick layers of cardboard or black plastic. Weigh down the edges to prevent the material from blowing away. Clear plastic tarps from your local hardware store (2-6 mil) are sufficient for polarization.
The plastic traps heat and moisture, which encourages seed germination and plant growth. The process typically takes around 2 to 3 weeks during hot summer months. The process is complete when the vegetation underneath the tarp is dead. This starves the plants of sunlight and water (in the case of plastic), and eventually they die. The key word is “eventually” — it may take several months.
Solarization is a viable option for those who want to avoid using herbicides to kill periwinkle ground cover. It’s a natural and effective way to get rid of the invasive plant without harming other plants in your garden. However, it requires patience and persistence as it may take time for the periwinkle to die off completely.
