Ground ivy, a perennial, is also called creeping ivy or creeping Charlie. It was once planted as a shade-tolerant groundcover but has become a nuisance, invading lawns and landscaped areas. It has rounded, scalloped leaves, the size of a nickel or quarter, on creeping stems. Light-blue to purple flowers, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, bloom and produce seeds from April to July. The stems root wherever they touch the soil, forming a dense mat and crowding out desirable plants. Ground ivy prefers damp, shady areas with rich soil but may also grow in the sun.
Although ground ivy has shallow roots, hand-pulling is not a practical solution. Any pieces of stem left behind in the soil will sprout into new plants. Ground ivy may indicate that the area is too shady for a lawn to grow.
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