Bindweed, morning glory's angry friend

Bindweed can easily get out of control in a garden

By cutting it down at its base over a period of 3-5 years, we can starve the roots, and rid ourselves of this pest. ​

Bindweed, Convolvus arvensis, is related to and looks similar to the beautiful Morning Glory - a popular choice in many gardens. Bindweed is prevalent in Borland Garden - something we should be grateful for, right?
Unfortunately, Bindweed is a pesky plant. It is fast growing, and is a climber. It wraps itself around other plants, whether that plant be a tree, shurb, perennial, or another strand of bindweed growing in close proximity.

​That wrapping can kill the plant.

How does one eradicate bindweed from a garden? Persistence!
By cutting it down at its base over a period of 3-5 years, we can starve the roots, and rid ourselves of this pest. Additionally, because seeds can last in the soil for a long time (upwards of 30 years!) it is imperative that we do not let this plant go to seed. Cut it down young!

How to dispose of bindweed that you pull:
Please do not put the bindweed pieces that you pull in the compost, or we’ll be spreading it wherever we place that compost. Bindweed is best put in the trash or left to dry out on a concrete sidewalk.

Identifying bindweed
It's best to pull bindweed early when it's just a little shoot and hasn't started to climb up other plants. It looks a bit different as a shoot than it does as a long vine. 

Morning Glory flower

bindweed flowers

Young bindweed shoots have their leaves folded up against the stem. the leaves will often have a slight red tinge when they are young

Mature bindweed leaves are lance or vaguely heart shaped. The easiest way to spot bindweed is to see it as it climbs up another plant