How to remove creeper?

[bevlate]

Does anyone have a solution to reduce or remove this creeping plant. It is taking over the who ke garden. Mulch doesn't stop it. It has long white creeping "roots". I am getting too old to keep up with trying to weeding out. It is in a garden with flowering shrubs.

 

[mich1972]

Good afternoon @bevlate i can’t tell by the picture what it is I’m sorry. It certainly looks like something that grows fast and invasive. I’ll tag @Noelle and see what she thinks. 

[bevlate]

It certainly grows fast. I spent 2 hours on my knees this morning trying to remove as much as I could. The leaves are green on one side and purplish underneath and it has a myriad of white runners under the mulch. The runners break easily so it's hard to make much of a difference.

[JacobZ]

Hi @bevlate,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your post.

It is tough to tell from your photo, but I suspect it could be White Root (Lobelia purpurascens). Is it possible to get a photo from a bit closer? It would certainly help narrow it down.

For physical removal, these Cyclone Multi Surface Weeders are brilliant. They allow you to stay standing while removing the weeds which is much better on the knees and back.

Glyphosate-based herbicides like Roundup or Zero can be used to control weeds like this, but they will also kill any plants you wish to keep so you need to make sure they are only applied to the weeds.

Using a Yates Zero Weeding Herbicide Applicator Brush can localise your application to the correct plants and should be a good option for you.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[bevlate]

Hi Jacob. Yes it is white root lobelia. I cleared all the plants on top of the mulch yesterday and also some of the white roots so I will have to wait till it shoots through again to apply any herbicide. Thanks for your input.

[JacobZ]

Hi @bevlate,

Just make sure it only goes on the weeds, this stuff can and will kill whatever plants it touches.

Good luck!

Jacob