Crown Vetch Taken Over the Garden

A few years ago I planted a pretty little flower in my rock garden called crown vetch. Now it is taking over my garden and moving into the lawn. Is there anything I can do to kill it without harming the nearby flowers?

Crown vetch (Coronill varia) once used for a groundcover, erosion control and bank stabilization in gardens, along freeways and waterways is now considered an invasive weed in many states. This tough plant crowds out neighboring plants and reseeds readily to take over nearby gardens and landscape plantings. Several years of mowing or cutting down the plants in spring and fall can eventually kill the plant. Try painting a total vegetation killer such as Roundup and Finale on the crown vetch plants. Be careful not to touch the nearby flowers and be prepared to make several applications for several years. And as always be sure to read and follow all label directions. For more information on this and other invasive plants visit the United States Department of Agriculture website www.plants.usda.gov for pictures and control options for this and other invasive plants.

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