Weeds Taking Over a Hillside of Vinca
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Poppy
Posted: Jun-18-2005 at 11:32pm
We purchased a home with a large steep slope in the front yard. The former owner planted the slope with vinca--I am assuming, because he thought a lawn would be too difficult to mow there. My problem? Tall weeds of many kinds, (mostly dandelions and grasses,) are now growing up through the vinca!! Yuck! It looks like a abandoned lot! I tried to hand pull the weeds, but there are way too many. I don't really want to spray them, but is this my only option? And, if I did resort to spray, could I find something that would kill the weeds and not the vinca?
This is my first time on your site--I appreciate ALL suggestions. Thanks! Poppy
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Jun-20-2005 at 9:00am
Hi Poppy, welcome to Rainyside!
Could you tell us a little about where you live? This site is geared toward the Pacific Northwest and our answers would be tailored to gardening in the PNW.
However, I am sure that killing weeds is pretty much the same everywhere! Unfortunately, hand pulling or hoeing out is the safest way to get rid of weeds. Particularly, when trying to get them out of established ground covers. Alternatively, you could try brushing the leaves with weed killer. If you spray, you may get some on the vinca. Just be sure you follow the directions carefully. Here's an interesting article on killing weeds and brush.
Good luck!
Jeanne
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Jun-20-2005 at 10:50am
Dont tell anybody, but I hate vinca! so I would consider it a weed also! I hate vinca because it looks so good in the catalog and in the nursery, but when you plant it I never sustains that healthy full look especially on a steep hill! My advise is to hand weed, or look for a better ground cover. Based on where you live, I would opt for wire vine.(muehlenbeckia) One 4 inch pot after 1 year now covers about 6 to 9 feet and is still growing. It is evergreen in mild climates. Another good cover that survives with minimal watering is a Columbia River Gorge flower, silver foliage and bright yellow daisy-like flowers called Oregon Sunshine(eriophyllum lanatum) Both of these have dominated the dandelion population, but one still has to get go after a few dandelions that persist in trying.
Carol
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Jun-20-2005 at 11:15am
Add me to the vinca-haters club, too, cj. I loved the blue flowers but I got over that - I just didn't see enough other positive attributes to give it a place in my garden, especially when there are so many other wonderful choices for us in the PNW.
Fern
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posted: Jun-20-2005 at 12:20pm
I have some vinca growing under some shrubs and it is the right plant for that area. I don't have to weed there any more! It does try and get beyond the imaginary line I've drawn for it and into the perennial beds but I only have to pull it out once a year and it is easier to pull than some other plants. I agree it doesn't like hot, dry conditions so if that is what you have it may not be the best plant. If it stays moist enough then when the vinca gets thick enough it will block the weeds. Vinca does need regular fertilizing, it gets pale from lack of nitrogen pretty easily.
There is a product called grass-be-gone that kills grasses but not ground covers. Made sure and read the label and follow directions. I have used it as a last resort thing with my heathers that border the lawn. I hope you don't have horsetail or morning glory. The dandelions you will have to paint something like round-up on. Hand pull the annual weeds and decide if vinca is the right plant there and if it is get it healthy.
Fern
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Jun-20-2005 at 1:39pm
Well, I didn't want to say it but you can definitely count me among the vinca haters. It doesn't seem worth the head ache to keep it in place. Also, I am not fond of monocultures or only one type of plant. Monocultures don't help the enviroment or wildlife very much!
Jeanne
Poppy
Posted: Jun-24-2005 at 10:35pm
You guys are pretty funny! I didn't say I LIKED vinca, I said I INHERITED vinca! Since it's confession time--okay, I admit it--I don't like it either!!! It is a LOT of work for, what I consider, a small amount of reward. Unfortunately, the hillside is pretty big and it's gonna be a big, (and perhaps, spendy) undertaking to plant something else--especially since I am still trying to get the rest of the garden off the ground. At any rate, I appreciated all your suggestions--thanks for listening. I think this is a great site and I hope to log on more often Enjoy your summer gardening!
Poppy
Poppy
Posted: Jun-24-2005 at 10:37pm
Almost forgot--I live in Washington County, OR---about 20 mi west of Portland.
Poppy
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Jun-24-2005 at 11:04pm
With a name like Poppy, please register and join in on the discussions, if you like. You can join the "complain about vinca" club.
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