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Similar but less problematic plants:
Ipomoea purpurea Ipomoea purpurea vine
Calystegia sepium is often confused with:
Convolvulus arvensis Convolvulus arvensis
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Aegopodium podagraria Aegopodium podograria
Clematis armandii Clematis armandii
Wisteria sinensis Flowers

Calystegia sepium

Previously known as:

  • Convolvulus sepium
Phonetic Spelling
kal-ih-STEE-jee-uh SEP-ee-um
Description

Calystegia sepium, or Hedge Bindweed, is a perennial, herbaceous weedy vine or wildflower in the morning glory family. This vine climbs vertically and spreads horizontally, twinning around objects or other plants and tolerates nearly any growing conditions. It is known to produce allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants and spreads quickly by rhizomatous roots and seeds. It can be found growing in disturbed areas including, cropland, pastures, abandoned fields, stream and areas along roadsides and railroads.

The plant is native to Eurasia, but is found throughout the continental United States. Many of those states list the plant as a noxious weed.It can be mistaken for Field Bindweed; however, field bindweed leaves are smaller, with a more rounded apex, and bases that are pointed or rounded, but not cut off squarely across the top as in Calystegia sepium. The root system of Hedge Bindweed is fibrous and rhizomatous, and it may extend into the ground up to 10 feet, making it difficult to remove once established. It is capable of re-growing from any part of the root left in the ground. Hedge Bindweed spreads by clonal offshoots from its rhizomes or by reseeding itself. 

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect problems. This vine can spread aggressively and become a nuisance in some locations.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#weedy#aggressive#spreading#climbing vines#twining vine#perennial weeds#weedy vine#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#weedy#aggressive#spreading#climbing vines#twining vine#perennial weeds#weedy vine#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Calystegia
    Species:
    sepium
    Family:
    Convolvulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eurasia
    Distribution:
    USA: Lower continental 48 states. Canada: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Vine
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Climbing
    Horizontal
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Prickles
    Spines
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Flowers are replaced by broadly ovoid seed capsules a little less than ½ inch across. At maturity, these capsules split open to release their seeds (2-4 seeds per capsule). These seeds are dull brown to black, 3-angled (two flat sides and one rounded side), and rather irregular in shape; they are a little less than ¼ inch long.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2 1/2 to 3 inch funnel-shaped flowers are white but sometimes pink with white strips or lavendure and slightly 5-lobed. The slender petioles are about one-half as long as the leaves. The large buds produce flowers with corollas that are usually white, although sometimes they are pale pink with spreading white stripes. However, deep within their throats the corollas are yellow. The flowers open during the morning and usually close at around noon, although they may remain open longer on cloudy days. The blooming period occurs intermittently during the summer for about 1-3 months. However, individual flowers last only a single day.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate leaves are sparsely to moderately distributed along the stems. Leathery leaves, 2½-5" long and 1-2" across, sagittate-triangular or hastate-triangular in shape with smooth margins. The basal lobes are squared-off but sometimes more rounded. The undersides are paler and may have fine hairs. Margins are slightly ciliate. The basal lobes of these leaves are rather angular and squared-off in shape, although sometimes they are more rounded. The sinuses of the leaves are strongly indented between the basal lobes and either flattened or rounded.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Lenticels:
    Not Conspicuous
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The twining stems are light green to red, glabrous to slightly hairy, and terete.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Pollution
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy