Trying to get rid of a plant that just won't die. Help!?

Question

I just moved into a new house recently, and I noticed a ridiculously tenacious plant that insists on growing amongst my garden plants and others. It grows on all sides of my house, and even though I have been using Roundup on it, new sprigs continue to appear! I unearthed the root system and it is huge, but I can't kill it (I tried bleach and antifreeze!) It's not "spirea" or "wisteria" as has been suggested. Someone please please identify this plant and tell me how to get rid of it!!

http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o425/Snapshotmuffin/?action=view&current=devilplant178.jpg

Answer 1

might also try pouring Coke on it... know it sounds weird but have had this word on several invading vines that are common in the south

Answer 2

it looks like Stag's horn sumach

Answer 3

try a gun

Answer 4

I wouldn't recommend dumping bleach and antifreeze onto the earth...it's just not good.

What part of the country do you live in?  Try looking on your state's natural resource department webpage for "invasive species" and see if you can find a picture of it.

One technique that might work is to cut the stem off at the base and spray concentrated roundup on the cut stump.  The round up should be at least 33% glyphosate--usually if you buy concentrated roundup you can mix that 1/2 and 1/2 with water to make a nice potent solution.  This is a very effictive way to kill plants with large, regenerative root systems.  Of course the best method would be to dig up the entire root system (no chemicals is the best solution!).

When you eliminate the plant, try planting some nice shrubs that are native to your area.  Not only will this help to prevent the reestablishment of the weed, but it also might attract birds and butterflies.

Answer 5

It appears to be trumpet vine that produces an orange tubular flower.  Here is a web page that describes the plant:  http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/camp_rad....  

It can be very invasive growing into eaves, walls, fences, smother trees, etc.  Shades of Green Nursery, San Antonio, TX has a webpage that gives organic control methods:

http://www.shadesofgreensa.com/organic_p...

Here is an excerpt of weed control:  "Weed Control  

Pre-emergent � corn gluten meal applied prior to seed germination

Existing � Orange oil/vinegar mix (2 tbsp. orange oil per gallon of vinegar plus�1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap) makes a NON-SELECTIVE herbicide

Good lawn maintenance reduces compaction and strenghtens turf which suppresses weeds. Mow regularly, spray monthly with Medina Plus, water deeply when necessary, and apply �� of�compost to lawn twice a year."

To kill the vine, you'll have to be persistent as it is controlling the vine.  It will require repeated applications to knock down the root system that keeps sending up new shoots.

Answer 6

It looks like a very strong weed .

Just yank that **** out !

Answer 7

Have you tried C-4?  Just kidding.  It sounds like the best advice you have been given so far is to trim, trim, trim.  As someone else stated, without photosynthesis it will die - eventually.  If you have room to do so, and you can get your hands on a tiller, you might try tilling the area where you know the roots are, then excavate all the dirt containing the roots and refill with soil and create yourself a nice flower bed.  However, if this is ALL OVER your yard, that might not be such a good idea!  Good luck!

Answer 8

Saffrone has the right ID.  My mother once planted one of these next to the house when I was younger so it would attract hummingbirds.  But in 2 years after planting, it didn't produce flowers and and was making cracks in the wood of the porch roof where it was trying to grow through the roof.  Had the same problems of trying to get rid of it.  About all you can do is dig it out, or cut it back each time a new leaf starts to appear (without photosynthesis, it WILL die - eventually).  But you have to cut it back every few days or be certain to get all the root material. (Devil Plant is a good description)