Moved to this home (North Bay northern Ontario) in mid winter - now in spring I'm discovering the gardens, lawns and schrubs - this vine is prolific and has invaded most fench area beds - they are already green and active even though the bed has been free of snow only 2 or 3 weeks the ferns (I think they are ferns just stumps right now) Have indications that they are growing) are in full sun along foundation of house, I'm inexperienced but eager, can you help me identify them please thanks John
The viny stuff is Vinca, should flower blue in a few weeks. Very pretty, but as you have already observed it suffocates anything in reach and respects few if any boundaries. Cut back hard after bloom if you want to keep it. If you rip it out, plan to watch for survivors for a few years. The ferns are not yet identifiable, at least not to my eye. Post another picture as the fronds are unfurling. If they survive in your area there are a limited number of possible identities, so it should be easy. You might even find that any you see in local garden centres are the same kind. Enjoy discovering your flora! Sounds like fun.
thanks very much KarinL - - you are right about being invasive - more than three feet of lawn area - or what would be lawn area is covered by it - beyond the bed I mean, So I guess my choice is try to irradicate it and put up with re-grow for many years, or enjoy it for what it is. Question - will it invade the entire lawn space - it has only another 15 - 25 feet to meet the other outside border of lawn. I'm a bagpiper and enjoy playing outside in summer - maybe if I play often enough and close enough they'll shrivel up and die!! I've had neighbours who did!! then again I've had groups of neighbours in the yard, seated and awaiting the evening recital so that too could be the result!! I'll wait for the ferns to sprout and see what I have - Question - is the frond sprout edible as in "fiddle heads" ? thanks again, John
Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle). Yes, it'll spread almost any distance you allow it. I don't think that bagpipes will stop it, though! Only on a very few fern species. I'd not rely on it. Some are toxic or carcinogenic.
