Bindweed

Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

We haven't yet tackled the "weeds" growing at one end of the bank that runs along an edge of our property. At this time of year, the twining tendrils and lovely pink flowers of Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) crisscross the lush mound. They coil their way through the grasses and docks and Mugwort, occasionally even stretching up into the lowest branches of a few of the nearby shrubs, decorating them all with a plethora of small, sweetly-smelling blossoms. Insects – particularly hoverflies – absolutely love them. The delicate pink and/or white flowers generally appear from June through August. While this scrambling perennial can sometimes be a bit of an invasive problem (particularly outside of its native range in Europe and Asia), we're not having problems with it here. Though generally most common on waste ground, rough grassland, scrub and disturbed areas (such as roadsides), it can sometimes be problematic in agricultural fields. It's widespread throughout much of the UK, though much less common in northern Scotland. Its seeds can number more than 500 per plant and can survive for upwards of 20 years! The plants put down very deep roots – up to 9 feet (nearly 3 metres), and exceptionally up to 30 feet (9+ metres) deep, which makes them very difficult to remove. I guess it's a good thing they haven't gotten out of control (yet anyway) in our garden.