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Flowers : Border Perennial Flowers
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Flame Creeper
About 3 to 4 years ago I planted Flame Creeper at the base of a Japonica shrub growing against a north facing wall. Thought it would give colour when the Japonica finished flowering. The creeper has now started to spread deep in the soil and I am afraid it is going to 'take over'. I think it may be on it's way into the neighbour's garden! If I have to lose the Japonica which is there years, so be it. Can you please tell me how I can kill it?
Joan1_Dublin, Malahide, Co Dublin Posted: 26/07/2012
Flame creeper, Tropaeolum speciosum, can be difficult to get going but, when suited, can become very vigorous. But it is such a beautiful plant that it is hard to imagine any neighbour objecting to it.
You could dig up the tubers in autumn and pass them on, but it is difficult to get all the tubers out of the soil.
If you absolutely must kill it, for the sake of peace, then apply Roundup by carefully directed spray as the creeper emerges from the soil next year, but keep Roundup off anything that is not a weed.