How do you get rid of morning glory? Just focus on preventing seed production, smothering existing plants, or using herbicides as a last resort. Pulling or digging up the plants is also effective if done consistently, especially when the plant is young.
Have you noticed beautiful funnel-shaped flowers taking over your garden beds? While morning glory and its cousin bindweed might look attractive, these aggressive plants can quickly become your garden’s worst nightmare. These invasive vines don’t respect boundaries and will climb over your prized roses, choke out your vegetables, and spread faster than you can say “weed control.”
Why are these plants so hard to eliminate once they’ve settled in? Their extensive root systems can extend several feet underground, and just a small piece of root left behind can regenerate into a whole new plant. Plus, their seeds can remain viable in soil for decades, creating new problems year after year.
This article will guide you through identifying morning glory in your yard, provide step-by-step removal strategies, and share prevention techniques to keep these persistent invaders from returning.
How to identify morning glory in your yard
Knowing your enemy is the first step in winning the battle. Morning glory plants have distinctive characteristics that make them relatively easy to spot once you know what to look for.
Visual characteristics:
- Funnel-shaped flowers in purple, pink, blue, or white that open in the morning
- Heart-shaped leaves that alternate along the vine
- Twisting, climbing stems that can grow 6-10 feet in a single season
- Arrow-shaped seed pods that develop after flowers fade
Behavior signs:
- Vines twining counterclockwise around plants, fences, and garden structures
- Rapid spread even in poor soil conditions
- New shoots emerging from underground root fragments
- Dense mat formation that smothers surrounding plants
The key difference between ornamental morning glory and invasive bindweed is persistence. While garden varieties are typically annual, invasive types like field bindweed are perennial with deep, extensive root systems that make them incredibly difficult to control.
How do you get rid of morning glory? Step-by-step solutions
Ready to reclaim your garden? Here are twelve proven methods to eliminate morning glory from your landscape. The key to success is combining multiple approaches and staying persistent with your efforts.
Immediate action steps:
- Manual removal: Put on gloves and pull vines carefully by hand, following stems down to remove as much root as possible. Repeat this process weekly during growing season. This method works best on young plants before their root systems become established.
- Deep digging: Use a spade to dig 6-12 inches deep around the plant, following creeping roots as far as possible. Remove every root fragment you can find, as even small pieces can regenerate new plants.
- Smothering with mulch or covers: Apply 4-6 inches of heavy mulch, landscape fabric, or black plastic over affected areas for several months. This blocks sunlight and eventually starves the plants. Remove covering only after plants have completely died back.
- Organic vinegar spray: Mix 20% horticultural vinegar with a few drops of dish soap for spot treatment on sunny days. This natural herbicide burns foliage but may require multiple applications since it doesn’t kill roots.
- Targeted herbicides: As a last resort, apply glyphosate-based herbicides in late summer or fall when plants are moving nutrients to roots. Always follow label instructions and consider environmental impact.
- Boiling water treatment: Pour boiling water directly onto plant crowns and exposed roots. This method works well for small infestations but requires multiple treatments.
- Corn gluten meal: Apply this natural pre-emergent in early spring to prevent seeds from germinating. This won’t kill existing plants but helps prevent new ones.
- Frequent mowing or cutting: Cut back young vines repeatedly throughout the growing season. This weakens root systems over time and prevents seed production.
- Cover crops: Plant dense ground cover like clover or grass to crowd out morning glory and compete for resources. Healthy, thick lawns naturally resist weed invasion.
- Solarization: Cover affected areas with clear plastic sheeting for 6-8 weeks during hot summer months. The trapped heat kills plants and seeds in the soil.
Remember, how do you get rid of morning glory effectively? Persistence and patience. Most successful removal programs combine multiple methods and continue for at least two growing seasons.
Preventing morning glory from coming back
Prevention is always easier than removal. Once you’ve cleared morning glory from your garden, these proactive strategies will help keep it from returning.
Monitor your garden regularly and remove any new seedlings immediately. Young plants are much easier to eliminate than established ones with extensive root systems. Walk through your garden weekly during growing season, paying special attention to fence lines and areas where birds might drop seeds.
Keep your lawn thick and healthy through proper fertilization, watering, and overseeding. Dense turf naturally crowds out weeds and makes it harder for morning glory seeds to establish. A robust lawn is your best defense against any invasive plant.
Check fence lines and garden borders regularly, as these areas often harbor the first signs of reinfestation. Morning glory seeds can travel on wind, water, or animals, so perimeter monitoring is essential.
Apply fresh mulch to exposed soil areas in spring and fall. Mulch suppresses weed germination and makes it easier to spot and remove any breakthrough plants. Keep mulch 2-3 inches thick for best results.
Repair any gaps in landscape fabric or barriers promptly. Even small openings can allow morning glory to establish and spread beneath coverings.
When to hire a professional for morning glory control
Sometimes DIY methods aren’t enough, and you need professional help. How do you know when it’s time to call in the experts?
Signs you may need professional assistance:
- Morning glory has spread across large areas of your property
- Vines are damaging trees, shrubs, or valuable perennial plants
- You’ve tried multiple DIY approaches without success
- The infestation keeps returning despite your best efforts
- You want a comprehensive, eco-friendly management plan
Services professionals may offer:
- Targeted invasive plant removal using specialized equipment
- Integrated pest management strategies combining multiple control methods
- Soil health restoration to improve your lawn’s natural resistance
- Long-term monitoring and maintenance programs
- Application of professional-grade herbicides when necessary
Professional landscapers understand how morning glory behaves in different soil types and environmental conditions. They can develop customized control strategies that work for your specific situation.
At Landscape Unite, we believe in providing homeowners with the knowledge they need to tackle garden challenges. For complex infestations or ongoing problems, consider reaching out to Mile High Lifescape for professional consultation and services tailored to your needs.
Conclusion
Successfully controlling morning glory requires persistence, patience, and the right combination of strategies. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. These aggressive plants didn’t establish overnight, and they won’t disappear overnight either.
Start with the gentlest methods first, escalating to more intensive treatments only as needed. Many homeowners find success combining manual removal with smothering techniques and follow-up monitoring. The key is staying consistent with your efforts and not letting your guard down after initial success.
Remember, how do you get rid of morning glory permanently? Through sustained effort and vigilance. Even professional landscapers recommend multi-year management programs for severe infestations.
If DIY methods aren’t working for your situation, don’t hesitate to consult with professionals who can assess your specific challenges and develop an effective control strategy.
Ready to reclaim your garden? Start your morning glory control plan today with the methods from Landscaping Expertise that work best for your situation and budget.
FAQs about how do you get rid of morning glory
How do I permanently get rid of morning glories?
Permanent control requires combining multiple methods over 2-3 growing seasons. Focus on preventing seed production, removing all root fragments, and maintaining thick, healthy turf to resist reinfestation. Persistence is key to long-term success.
Is morning glory hard to get rid of?
Yes, morning glory is notoriously difficult to eliminate because of its extensive root system and long-lived seeds. However, consistent application of proven removal methods will eventually succeed. Most homeowners see significant improvement within one growing season.
What kills morning glory in grass?
Spot treatments with vinegar-based herbicides, manual removal, and maintaining thick turf work best in lawn areas. Avoid broad-spectrum herbicides that might damage your grass. Regular mowing also helps weaken morning glory over time.
What is the best treatment for morning glory?
The most effective approach combines manual removal, smothering with mulch or covers, and targeted follow-up treatments. No single method works perfectly, but persistence with multiple strategies yields the best results.
What is the lifespan of a morning glory?
Individual plants typically live 2-3 years, but their seeds can remain viable in soil for decades. This is why preventing seed production is crucial for long-term control.
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