How to Get Rid of Creeping Charlie in the Flower Bed

Creeping Charlie is an invasive ivy that is also referred to by many other names, including gill over ground, alehoof, creeping Jenny and hedgemaids. Its official name is Glechoma hederacea. Europeans brought this ivy over to use as a ground cover where grass wouldn't grow. However, creeping Charlie grows a little too well. If left unchecked it can take over your flower bed, killing the other plants in the process. It's best to get rid of it while there's only a small amount, otherwise it will quickly multiply.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden clippers
• Spading fork
• Shovel
• Mulch

1. Use clippers to trim off the creeping Charlie's leaves and stalks. Leave 2-inch sections of each stalk in the ground so you are able to locate the roots. Be careful that you don't cut any other plants that have become entangled with the ivy.

2. Check the soil to see if it is moist. If it is not, spray the soil with the hose until it is thoroughly saturated. You'll see water puddles on top of the dirt.

3. Pick a stem to start. Plant your spading fork in the ground at a 45-degree angle beside it, aiming toward the base of the stem. Move the fork up and down eight to ten times to loosen the soil underneath the stem. Repeat on the opposite side of the plant.

4. Dig up the plant, including the roots, by pushing it up at the roots with the fork and pulling it up at the stem with one hand at the same time. Repeat the process for the remaining stems until you've gotten rid of all the creeping Charlie.

5. Shovel a 2-inch layer of mulch onto all of the areas where the creeping Charlie was growing. This will help to smother any remnants left behind so they will not grow into new ivy plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your flowerbed regularly to see if any new creeping Charlie stems emerge. Pull them out of the ground as soon as you see them, making sure to get rid of the roots.
• You can buy a spading fork at most garden centers. It looks like a pitchfork but has a much shorter handle, usually about 10 inches in length.
• Don't let creeping Charlie plants you've dug up sit in the flower bed or on the lawn. This plant has the ability to reseed itself from cuttings.
• Wear gloves when using the spading fork to protect your hands from the tines.

References

• Dave's Garden
• University of Wisconsin