Bindweed and Morning Glory are both members of the Convolvulaceae plant family. They share a pretty trumpet-shaped flower and a climbing habit, but while one offers pleasant coverage for trellis and other structures, the other is highly invasive and difficult to remove!
These two species are quite similar in looks and growth, but they also have some pretty significant variations. It’s worth investigating because getting it wrong could result in a worrying infestation. Let’s examine where these plants differ and what to do if you have a suspicious climbing creeper on your land…
The Knotweed Specialists have a wealth of experience removing bindweed and other invasive weeds from affected land. We offer a comprehensive professional service tailored to your particular infestation. Don’t take risks with invasive plants; contact the professionals.
Bindweed vs Morning Glory In Images
Bindweed and morning glory are notoriously difficult to differentiate. In fact, without their flowers, they are almost indistinguishable. Both are vines with trumpet-shaped flowers and similar triangle-shaped leaves, although bindweed leaves are more pointed, and the leaves of morning glory form a more rounded heart shape. To compare the plants visually, we’ll include both varieties of bindweed – hedge and field. Look at the images below for a deeper understanding of these twining climbers…
Hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium) is a vigorous perennial with heart-shaped leaves and white trumpet-shaped flowers blooming from June to September. It grows aggressively, reaching up to three metres and is classed as an invasive creeping plant.
This species is difficult to remove as it wraps around and clings to nearby plants and vegetation, smothering them.
Hedge bindweed is supported by a deep, extensive rhizome root system that can easily regenerate from just a small fragment of discarded rhizome.
Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is an herbaceous perennial that grows rapidly through seed dispersal and re-shooting from underground rhizomes. It is smaller than hedge bindweed growing to under one metre in length. Field bindweed flowers are often pale pink but can be white or have stripes. The grey-green leaves are arrow-shaped.
This plant is difficult to control in gardens and on agricultural land as it intertwines with other plants.
Morning Glory (genus Ipomoea) has lush, heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the morning and close as the day progresses. The heart-shaped leaves differentiate it from the bindweeds ‘arrow-shaped’ foliage. Morning glory offers vibrant blooms from June to October. The flowers are usually purple but can also be blue, pink, red and white or a combination of colours in each flower.
Morning Glory has a deep taproot with a fibrous root system. This type of root can grow to depths of 15 feet, helping the plant access nutrients deep into the layers of soil.
Invasive or Not? Bindweed vs Morning Glory
One of the most important differences between bindweed and morning glory is their growth habit. Bindweed is an invasive creeper that grows horizontally at first, before twining upwards around vegetation and structures it encounters along the way. Bindweed grows between other plants as well as over them, making it very hard to remove. Sometimes, it can cover the supporting plant so densely that it smothers it by blocking out sunlight and starving it of nutrients. Bindweed is a perennial plant, meaning it dies back during the colder months and sprouts new growth every spring. This cyclical growth pattern is supported by a strong, deep rhizomatous root system that is difficult to eliminate because it is so extensive. Although not known for damaging foundations, bindweed is a fast-growing, invasive creeper that should be controlled or removed to prevent damage to local structures like fences and outbuildings. It also poses a risk to biodiversity through its invasive growth habit.
Morning glory has an aggressive growth habit, but it is generally not considered invasive. It is usually classed as an annual plant, unable to tolerate cold weather and frost. However, in warmer climates, the morning glory species can be problematic as it becomes perennial and produces swathes of seeds each year. Some varieties of morning glory can be safely added to your garden, as they have a much less aggressive habit. Varieties such as ‘Heavenly Blue’ and ‘Flying Saucer’ are an excellent choice if you want a pretty climber, and will attract a raft of bumblebees and other pollinators that coast gracefully from one flower to the next…
The Knotweed Specialists are experts in the field of problem plants. We can accurately identify invasive species and offer a full, insurance-backed service to treat an infestation. Reclaim your land with the Knotweed Specialists.
Controlling Invasive Species
Bindweed is an unwelcome visitor in most fields and gardens. It is an exceptionally vigorous species, with deep roots that grow to around fifteen feet, making it difficult to control and remove once established. It spreads quickly, smothering local plants by restricting their access to sunlight, water and nutrients, and reducing soil water content. In other words, bindweed is invasive.
With invasive species like bindweed, it is crucial to get the plant under control as soon as possible, or even better, completely remove it. If allowed to spread, bindweed will engulf surrounding plants, making it difficult to remove without damaging existing vegetation. Effective methods of control include regular hand pulling and herbicide application. If you have a particularly large infestation, it is advisable to contact an experienced contractor who will often excavate the deep roots to remove all fragments of rhizome completely. This is essential to reduce any risk of regrowth.
Morning glory is slightly less troublesome than bindweed. It is indeed a fast-growing climber with the potential to outcompete native plants, but it is much less hardy than bindweed. Depending on the climate, morning glory can be either annual or perennial. This species is unlikely to survive a frost, but in warmer conditions it can regrow year after year. It has a less invasive root system than bindweed and is generally considered less of a problem. The most effective method of control for a morning glory is hand weeding, mulching and herbicide application.
Contact The Knotweed Specialists if you have a harmful plant invasion within your boundaries. We are PCA certified and take pride in our work, tackling infestations up and down the country. We have successfully treated Ragwort, Japanese knotweed, Giant knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Bindweed invasions nationwide.
