I see crown vetch growing along the highway and other ditch banks around here. It's pretty, and it really does appear to choke out most weeds. I have a ditch that's impossible to mow, and it's currently full of weeds. I have to say that the idea of planting a bunch of crown vetch is tempting, but I know it's considered highly invasive and that in some places it's an outright thug.
Just how bad is crown vetch? Would it be impossible to keep out of my grass? (My gardens are far from the area, at least.) I also live directly across from a farmer's field. Does it scatter a lot of wind-blown seeds? I certainly don't want to plant it if doing so would be irresponsible.
Just how bad is crown vetch/coronilla?
It can be a problem. It might work in your ditch if you mow around it to keep it in place. I planted some at my previous home. It was kept in bounds by an old foundation and a cement sidewalk on all sides. It stayed put. I don't know about it spreading across the road into the farmer's field, but it may spread along the ditch onto someone elses property. It's hard to stop once it gets a foothold. It laughs at RoundUp.
Don't plant it! The seeds can take root far away. I have been trying to rid
my property of it since I bought it 10yrs ago. I've been pulling/digging it out of
a hillside I want to plant with pretty things. It pops up in all my flower beds
and has rooted amongst the "grass" in my fields. Awful awful awful. Don't plant it.
Weeds are better.
We had a hillside of it and were able to remove it without resorting to weedkiller, so it is possible in at least some cases.
From the WI DNR comes this
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/invasives/fact/crown_vetch.htm
In part it says this
Crown vetch has been planted extensively in the northern two-thirds of the United States on road banks and other areas prone to erosion. This plant readily escapes cultivation; it may be found invading remnant prairies, woodland edges, agricultural fields, hayfields, pastures, and the banks and gravel bars of streams. It has typically been planted along roadsides and other right-of-ways, but quickly spreads into adjacent prairies and open fields. Crown vetch prefers full sunlight, but healthy populations have been found in partial shade.
LIFE HISTORY AND EFFECTS OF INVASION: Crown vetch is a serious management threat to natural areas due to its seeding ability and rapid vegetative spreading by creeping roots. Flowers appear from May to August and produce few to several seeds. Seeds can remain dormant and viable for over fifteen years.
With that being said, I would definitely not plant it, especially since you live in WI.
Completely agree -- I realize in retrospect I sounded as if I was advocating planting it. I just meant that it can be removed if it doesn't get out of control.
In WI it sounds as if it's past being a problem. IMHO, I don't think a known invasive plant is ever the solution.
Agree!
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Oh goodness! We had crown vetch planted on a steep bank bedind our house last year! Nothing would grow on it except weeds and it was slipping and falling into our yard. So our contractor suggested doing a french drain at the bottom of the bank and crown vetch to keep the bank from continuing to slip and fall. We are pleased to see green instead of yellow clay shell and the bank has not slipped at all since we planted it, which is Godsend for us. He said there would be no chance of a problem with it taking over, and I have been vigiliantly taking care of the perimiter areas to keep it out of my yard and the neighbors as well, because I think it seems somewhat agressive. Will we eventually have a problem? This sloping bank is huge! Probably 30' steep and 100'-125' long! Did we trade one problem for another? I am really frustrated now.
I hate to say it but its definitely invasive for me. It seems to self seed into
grassy areas. And once it roots, its about impossible to get rid of it.
I'm sure glad I checked this out. I noticed a plant with leaves like that yesterday coming up among my hosta. I'll be sure & get rid of all of it that I can tomorrow. I don't need anymore invasive plants here. Virginia Creeper is bad enough.
Jan in Central Illinois