In II Corinthians, Paul talks about enduring a “thorn in his side”. While no one knows exactly what the thorn was, most agree that God gave it to Paul so that, despite his many blessings, he would not become too prideful in his faith. That story comforts me because each year the Lord “blesses” me with some new gardening “thorn” that keeps me humble about my garden and my gardening abilities. This year, my thorn came in the form of a beautiful (but noxious) vining plant called purple bindweed! While the flowers of this noxious weed are truly beautiful, that beauty does not make up for the overall nastiness of this weed.
The flowers of purple bindweed are definitely beautiful
Purple bindweed is a native Texas morning glory. It is also an aggressive vining plant that will literally grow over anything in its path. One plant can send out trailing, twisting vines that stretch out over 15 feet. While I have to admit, when those vines cover a fence and explode with flowers, the effect is very beautiful. However, when they creep up your sugar cane or get twisted in with cucumbers and cantaloupes, the effect is not so nice.
Purple bindweed is a native Texas morning glory.
Even though this plant is literally driving me crazy, I have to admire its shear survivability. Each plant can produce 500 or more seeds. The seeds have a very thick seed coat that can lay dormant in the soil for 20 years (some say 50 years or more). The plant develops an extensive root system that can grow 10 feet or more into the soil. Because of this, you can pull it, dig it or plow it and it will still come back. In fact, research shows that a 2” piece of root can produce a new plant. In addition, all of those deep roots make this plant very drought resistant.
The twisting vines of purple bindweed will be covered in its lovely, lavender blooms.
All of the survival traits that the plant has developed make it very hard to control organically. The only real option you have is frequent pulling or smothering. If you decide to pull, realize that you will need to pull every shoot that pops up every three weeks or so for the next three years! If you want to try and smother it you are going to need to use something like a large sheet of plywood or hardi-plank and you are going to have to leave it in place for years. However, since the seeds can remain dormant for years, smothering and pulling is really only going to slow down the spread of this weed.
The vines of bindweed will wrap around anything-even its own vines!
The only way to effectively kill bindweed is with an herbicide. Even though I do not personally like chemicals, the reality is that some weeds will never be fully contained with organic methods. If you don’t mind spraying chemicals try Glyphosate (Round Up) or Tripcloyr (Remedy). Both work well against bindweed. For the best effect, many recommend mixing up a combination of both Glyphosate (2-3%) and Remedy / Triclopyr (0.25%). These chemicals will definitely kill the bindweed if you spray it while the plant is actively growing. For bindweed, the absolute best time to spray is when it is blooming. NOTE: These chemicals will definitely kill the bindweed. Unfortunately they will also kill just about everything else that is actively growing. Be careful to avoid overspray when applying this (or any) herbicide. Also, apply just enough herbicide to wet the leaves. There is no need to soak the plant. There is also no benefit to mixing them in higher concentrations than are listed on the label.
Even though this plant is driving me crazy, it does attract hummingbirds and other pollinators
The purple bindweed is beginning to bloom at my house. This means that despite my best organic control efforts, it has beaten me. This “thorn in my side” is one of just a few plants that have made me question my commitment to organic control methods. Thank goodness I have St. Paul for inspiration. Although his “thorn” tormented him his whole life he persevered; and so will I. However, I have to admit, when I am out there pulling this weed in the Texas heat the thought of spraying it with an herbicide is very tempting!
Be sure to pull every last piece! Sorry to hear that you have the Curse of Bindweed! Good luck!
Thanks Cynthia! It has been a pain. I have not had much of it to speak of in the past. Then, this spring, I turned up a new section in the garden. I guess that was all it needed to get going.
Since it has appeared only near my bird feeders, could it be brought by visiting birds? This is the first year I have seen it.
Hey Willeva! Great to hear from you. I would assume the birds do help in its spread. Since it is near your feeder (and along the fence rows of my country road) I am willing to bet that the birds do have a hand in spreading it. Also, the seeds are encased in a thin sheath that makes a tail. This tail also them to be spread with the wind.
I am currently fighting this beautiful beast as well. Glad to hear I’m not alone in my frustrations!
Please let me know if you have any success!
Since I don’t have the problems that you do, all I can do is admire how beautiful these native flowers are! Good luck finding balance in your garden.
They really are a beautiful problem to have! Certainly a lot more pretty than nut sedge!
Great article Jay, I’ve just discovered purple weedbind in my boyfriend’s large outside flower box so we’ll be tackling it accordingly!
Best of luck!!!! It is so pretty but it is so hard to control. Let me know how your control measures work out!
Is it ever a good idea to just let it go? We live on solid limestone near Fort Worth and it seems that purple bindweed has appeared on the fence and on some scrubby shrubs on one of our rocky hills. Part of me is pretty excited to see something kind of pretty growing and part of me thinks I should try to get rid of it. Thoughts?
I believe that you should do whatever makes you happy. If nothing but bindweed grows on your rocky hill, let it grow. The flowers are beautiful and last almost all summer and fall. Only thing to consider is whether or not you will ever want to try and garden in that location. If so, I would try and get rid of it. If not, tell everyone that is your Texas Native garden and you are preserving the flora of our amazing state!
I love it! I’m def going to brag about my Texas Native garden preservation! There is no way we could ever grow a garden in this location so purple bindweed it will remain. Thank you for your response and advice.