Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) can be a frustrating and invasive weed. As its name implies, it spreads, and quite vigorously so, as a low lying creeping vine. As it creeps along the ground, it sends out deep roots, upon which new growth is supported. It can also spread by seed, and it does produce some pretty blue flowers that some people find quite attractive (it was even once considered a useful ornamental groundcover).
Creeping Charlie is resistant to many herbicides making it especially difficult to treat. If pulling it out by hand is too labour intensive, made even more frustrating when it grows back from its deep roots, another alternative solution is to use borax. The theory is that Creeping Charlie is more boron sensitive than your grass or other plants. Always try out a sample patch first before spraying throughout your lawn and garden.
Cover Image by wplynn, used under its Creative Commons license.
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