For gardeners, skunk vine can stink up the home landscape

Some say it smells like a skunk while others say it’s just stinky. Such an odor is becoming quite common in local neighborhoods due to a vine called — you guessed it — skunk vine.

All vines have one thing in common — they want to grow. During the warm weather this can be rapid growth. Skunk vines are sneaky too. They creep along at ground level rooting down and occasionally sending up shoots that make them harder to control. The leaves are bright green and the flower is actually kind of cute being small with white and maroon. Otherwise the plant just stinks when disturbed.

Gardeners with a skunk vine invasion need to take action to prevent it from spreading throughout the yard.

Whatever you do, keep it from flowering and seeding. Cut the vine down to the ground and remove it from the adjacent plants. Try to remove the stems and roots from the soil. When new shoots are noted sprouting, apply a brush killer.

Other o u t- o f- c o n t ro l vines are often found in local landscapes. One that has been a problem for years is the air potato vine.

There is some good news with this vine that bears large heart-shaped leaves. Red beetles have been released that eat the l e av e s . T h e s e insects, which feed only on potato vines, are decimating the weedy plantings.

Problem vines can also include balsam pear, Virginia creeper and wild grape.

Grow only the vines you like and keep the others from getting out of control in the landscape.