Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea).

Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) is also known as Ground Ivy. It is a perennial aggressive weed, that flowers in the early Spring and Summer, and is very difficult to control once it gets a foothold.

After you read this, you will be able to:

• Identify Creeping Charlie.
• Know the habitat of Ground Ivy.
• Know the best options to control Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea).

 

Ground ivy is a low growing perennial weed commonly found in lawns and landscape beds. Creeping Charlie is a shallow-rooted weed with a minty odour when you crush or cut it. It has kidney-shaped or rounded leaves with scalloped edges that grow low to the ground, and the stems can root at each leaf node.

Glechoma hederacea is a good indicator weed of wet soils and turf under stress. The distribution map is courtesy of The Atlas of Living Australia.

For more information, please check out our weed ID chart.

 

Ground Ivy Identification.

Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) spreads aggressively by seeds and creeping stems that root at the nodes to form dense patches.

It is often mistaken for Deadnettle or Henbit. These all have square stems, are members of the mint family and have small purple flowers. However the key differences are:

• The upper leaves of Deadnettle are smaller than the lower leaves.
• Deadnettle is an annual that flowers in the early Spring and then dies in the late Spring.
• Deadnettle has long stalks on its lower leaves and short stalks on its upper leaves. The leaves of Creeping Charlie are on long stalks.

 

Category: Creepng Charlie is a broadleaf (Dicot) weed.

Photosynthetic Pathway: C3 Weed.

Flower: Creeping Charlie flowers in the late Spring. It has flowers that are funnel shaped, about 2.5 cm in diameter, and are blue to purple in colour. You find the flowers in 3 to 7 clusters, and these appear from April to June.

Height: Prostrate

Leaf Length: Creeping Charlie has kidney shaped leaves that are opposite each other and on a long stalk. These leaves have rounded teeth along their edges.

Leaf Width: The leaves are 6 to 37 mm in diameter.

Reproduction: Creeping Charlie reproduces by seed in the Summer and Autumn, and also by producing roots along its creeping stems.

Comments:  Ground Ivy stems are square (four-sided). During hot summer weather, it has a tendency to become dormant.

Habitat: Creeping Charlie is an aggressive weed that prefers moist, partly shaded areas, but it grows almost as well in the sun. It spreads quickly into turf areas and flower beds.

 

 

Ground Ivy can be difficult to control, and it thrives in moist, shady spots such as under trees and shrubs. If you deal with these conditions, it will discourage Creeping Charlie in your turf. Autumn is an ideal time carry out control of this perennial weed.

 

• If the turf grass is under stress, try to improve the turf health and its density. This means mow it at the correct height, and fertilize and water the grass properly.
• US works shows that the use of Iron HEDTA controls Ground Ivy if you apply this early in the season.
• Adopt the correct N fertilization practices (≥ 0.5Kg N/100 m2). This approach is known to reduce Creeping Charlie in comparison to unfertilized turf (Kohler et al., 2004)
• Keep in mind that although it prefers shade, Creeping Charlie also grows well in full-sun areas.
• If you see Ground Ivy early, hand remove it and destroy all of the roots. Don’t put Creeping Charlie in a compost bin because it will take root there, so remove plants off-site.
• If Creeping Charlie has spreads over a large area, it is difficult to control by only hand-weeding.

 

Post Emergent Ground Ivy Control.

• Post-emergent control of Creeping Charlie is best in the Autumn.
• Use a weed killer that contains Dicamba (not registered in Australia for this). This is found in products like ProForce Contra M.
• For best results, make a second application 3 to 4 weeks later.
• If you see it again in the Spring, spray again.
• Ground Ivy is very susceptible to herbicides when it flowers.
• In the US, Pylex Herbicide is registered for the control of Ground Ivy.
• US work shows that 2,4-D Amine works on Creeping Charlie (Kohler et al 2004). However, timing, rate and formulation all play a role in the results.
• Studies show that certain broadleaf herbicides (2,4-D) + Quinclorac (Quinstar) are effective against Ground Ivy in the Summer.

 

Non Selective Ground Ivy Options.

• Glyphosate. You can use Glyphosate but if you use Glyphosate, and water quality is an issue then use ProForce Manta Ray.
• Glufosinate-ammonium provides control for 4 to 6 weeks, but Ground Ivy regrows and recovers due to the limited movement of glufosinate.

 

The following are non-selective but also have a long term residual and stop any weed re-growth.

• Numchuk Quad. This gives effective post and pre emergent weed control for up to 12 months
• Cortex Duo. Cortex Duo gives a rapid knockdown of Creeping Charlie, and stops other weeds for up to 3 months. It is also safe to use around trees

 

 

Table of Non Selective Ground Ivy Herbicides.