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To kill or not to kill, Virgina Creeper

12 years ago

Hello,

Im in Denver, CO and recently moved into a new home, lining the fence in our backyard are a row of very larg lilac bushes (13ft+). There is a vine twining throughout them that I just identified as Virgina Creeper. I have been told this is really invasive, should I pull it off the lilacs? It is all over them, and on the chain link fence behind them. The area looks overgrown/shabby and I will prune the lilacs, but I just ended a dandelion crusade and the idea of adding another sworn enemy to my list seems daunting. I am afraid if I dont get ALL of it, we will be doing this dance every year...but I also dont want the vine to overtake the lilacs. If it could stay as is right now, I would be okay with the Creeper, but I am assuming it will get more agressive as the season/years progress...any thoughts?!

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Comments (2)

msbatt
11 years ago
I spend a lot of time trying to kill Virginia Creeper...
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
This vine is a little too much - too wild and big - for most suburban landscapes. There's no way I would let it be on lilacs. As a woody vine, it can damage fences as the entwined trunks enlarge. I left one alone last year to see how fast it would grow (and to make more fodder for compost pile). After a year, it is now covering a section of fence about 15 feet wide and is starting to grab and climb a fig tree. Very pretty native, but about time for this one to go.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wiki article
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