The bindweed is a thorn in the side of many hobby gardeners. But instead of fighting them, you can also cultivate them in your garden.
The bindweed (Calystegia sepium) is a visually appealing plant. With its large white flowers, it is even a feast for the eyes. Nevertheless, it is not an ornamental plant, but an extremely vigorous wild plant. The fence bindweed climbs meters high on fences, trees and bushes and is therefore not popular with all hobby gardeners. Nevertheless, the following article should not only focus on combating the plant, but also point out its care and cultivation.
Special features of the bindweed
The fence winch needs a suitable climbing aid. Therefore, the winch is preferred to be found on hedges or fences. The plant finds support by making circular movements to the left. The fence bindweed can perform one of these movements within just two hours. The luxuriant growth of the Bindweed often happens to the chagrin of the trees and shrubs it climbs. These are hindered in their growth or even die. Therefore, many hobby gardeners are trying to remove the bindweed from their gardens.
The bindweed can easily be confused with the field bindweed. Bindweeds have smaller flowers, which are often pale pink or violet in colour.
| Bindweed (Calystegia sepium) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | counterclockwise climbing, herbaceous |
| Flower: | white funnels |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | nutrient rich |
| Root: | Deep Roots |
Spread of Bindweed
Fence bindweed is native to almost all of Europe. Some northern areas are excluded. The plants thrive at altitudes of up to 1,400 meters, preferably along roadsides and embankments. Occurrences can also be found in North America and North Africa. Some subspecies are also native to Australia and New Zealand.
Cultivate Bindweed
Suitable location for the bindweed
The Bindweed prefers to thrivea bright spot. Sun and penumbra are tolerated. Since the easy-care climber is difficult to control, it makes sense to tolerate the winds and appreciate their advantages. Bindweed can enhance metal fences or Benje hedges and serve as a food source for hoverflies.
Ideal soil for the fence bindweed
A normal garden soil is sufficient for undemanding plants. If you want to promote growth, add stable manure or mature compost to the substrate.
Care for fence bindweed
Fence bindweed requires little maintenance. Bindweed only needs to be watered sporadically and when the drought persists. If you want to promote flowering, you can use a potassium-rich mineral fertilizer such as the COMPO BIO natural fertilizer at four-week intervals. When bindweed has faded in autumn, it is cut off and composted.
Increase fence bindweed
The hobby gardener does not have to worry about the multiplication of bindweed. This happens faster than many gardeners would like, through root shoots. Bindweed can also be propagated by seed. The seeds are particularly robust and do not lose their ability to germinate even in water.
Tip: Intensive hoeing and weeding of the garden soil promotes the spread of bindweed.
Fighting fence bindweed
Fighting bindweed is probably one of the biggest challenges in the allotment garden. There are different methods, but the hobby gardener has to be patient.
Fighting fence bindweed manually
Weeding bindweed regularly will discourage the plant from continuing to climb. However, you cannot eradicate the morning glory like this. Because new shoots sprout quickly and the loosened soil stimulates growth instead of preventing it.
Tip: If the soil is moist, the roots will be easier to pull out.
Fighting Bindweed by Planting
By planting the area, the growth of the bindweed can at least be restricted. The sowing of green manure forms a dense carpet of grass and can limit the spread of the bindweed. Allotment gardeners who have sown marigolds at the site of the bindweed report quite good success in combating the plant.
Mulch fence winch intensively
If the plant has spread a lot, the area can be covered with mulch film. The dense, black tarpaulin should remain on the ground for at least a year.
Hint: SimpleMulching, as known to allotment gardeners, is not effective in controlling bindweed.
Is bindweed poisonous?
Fence bindweed is mildly poisonous. Diarrhea may occur when consumed. At the same time, the bindweed is also known as a medicinal plant. Properly dosed, the plant was used in folk medicine as a laxative. Naturopaths recommend bindweed for constipation or liver problems.
All parts of the plant are slightly poisonous. The concentration of alkaloids and resins in the root is particularly high. The lysergic acid it contains has an LSD-like effect that can be compared to deadly nightshade.