possibly purple vetch

Bedstraw? Is it slightly sticky? I have some that's invaded one area, and it does spread fast - it's sort of fragile, almost translucent stems?

Vetch for sure! What a pesky plant, vining, tendriling and taking over.

Carol

the ladder sounds like vetch for sure. But vetch is nothing compared to that nightshade vine. I just can't get rid of that thing (purple flowers like small but purple tomato flowers). also ground sorrel has been going nuts in my yard. I heard that higher CO2 level is pleasing to vines. Maybe that's why there's more now.
Kathy

Looked it up; it's definitely the Vetch- whether it's "common" or "purple" is still up for debate. I think they mis-named it...should be wretch..ed.

Either way, I find it interesting that most of the websites that I've viewed say it can't live below 15 F, and we are certainly in or below that beltline! Why doesn't it die off??!!!

vexing
+ wretch
= vetch

(In truth there are much more wretched and vexing weeds than vetch. I just wanted to take this opportunity to kvetch!)

Groan....

;)
Dee

It's probably Vicia cracca, AKA cow vetch, bird vetch, or tufted vetch. It's hardier than hairy vetch to at least zone 4b or 5. I've got it in one bed that I don't notice that often, and I don't pull it often enough to get ahead of it and get rid of it. Where I spend more time, repeated weeding followed by mulch has been enough to eliminate it.