Ground Ivy

Glechoma hederacea

Cool season perennial. Ground Ivy reproduces by seed and root pieces. It may form patches in turf as it creeps on square stems that can grow up to 2 1/2 feet long, sometimes rooting at the nodes. Occasionally the stems grow in an ascending fashion. Leaves of ground ivy are opposite, round to kidney shaped, and 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. They may be smooth or hairy, medium to dark green. They produce a minty odor when crushed. The flowers are small, lavender to blue-purple, funnel shaped. Ground ivy flowers occur April to June. This weed normally occurs in shaded sites with poorly drained, fertile soils. It can spread into sunny areas. Mechanical removal is difficult and rarely effective. Ground ivy is difficult to control, and has been used as ground cover in shady areas.