Good question, Predfern! :) And you have my deepest symphathy. I have the same thing going on here with bindweed. Horrid stuff it is!!!

Debbie

That stuff is awful. If it's not too close to any rose plant, use some kind of barrier like a big piece of cardboard to shield the rose(s) from drift and spray the weed directly with Roundup. Repeat as necessary, will probably take several applications to kill it good. It's impossible to smother because its roots will just creep.

I have creeping charlie and bindweed its horrible stuff.Glad I'm not the only one with this problem. I've just been useing leather gloves pulling it out around the roses. By August I'm sick of doing it and I give up.Thought of spraying but don't like useing chemicals. I'll read this post with great interest. Thnx for posting this. Horribly frustrated..........

I am sooo anti-chemical, myself, Thorn Grower. Finally in dire frustration battling this demon weed, I've 'cried uncle', and have sadly succumbed to using Roundup. :( Sob, sob . . . .

Debbie

I have a lot too. Do a whole site search for creeping charlie, for some good info. I plan on trying to get rid of mine this year as well. That stuff is bad news.

Be sure to spray the creeping charlie at the right time. Most of the year even round up won't do anything.

Some of my friends who use Round-Up pour it into a container and apply it with a big paint brush, rather than spraying it.

Even the slightest air movement can carry the spray mist of Round-Up onto your rose bushes. This can cause damage, bizarre growth and death. I speak from experience.

I found this other thread from gardenweb which might be useful. Here's the link:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/yarddoctor/msg0612033826424.html

Hope this helps
Sanju

I had creeping charley (sometimes called ground ivy) in my rose beds a few years ago. I pulled it out of the beds and spread a granular weed killer on infected areas of the lawn. It took a number of repeat applications plus repeated pulling from the beds but I'm free of it now, except for that trying to grow in from my neighbor's yard. Last year I began putting weed killer down along the property line on my neighbor's side, after getting permission.

Karl, what is the name of the granular weed killer you used? If it gets in the rose beds, will it hurt them?

I can't recall the name for sure but I think it may have been Greenview. I picked it up at WalMart, Lowes, or Menards. I was very careful and didn't get it in the rose beds. It's easier to control a granular product.
I used a drop spreader for first application. It killed most of the ground ivy in the lawn. Follow up on persistant patches was done with a diluted liquid sprayed directly on it. By that time, those patches were nowhere near the roses. I always apply a herbicide, grandular or liquid, on a windless day.
These products work by absorption through the leaves. It then travels to the roots. The granular products should be applied to wet lawns so the product sticks to the leaves. Early morning when dew is still present is a good time.
By applying with a drop spreader, the products stays very close to the ground and away from the leaves of a rose bush.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will look for Greenview. I was considering WeedBgone max for lawns but the creeping charlie is so widespread that it would take several gallons of spraying to cover all of the creeping charlie with the danger of drifting into my gardens.

I got an email from the Scotts company which said that applying Scotts Step 2 in the spring would control creeping charlie. Here is the text of the email:

"In northern lawns, Creeping Charlie can be spot treated with Ortho Weed B Gon MAX. Follow the instructions on the label and spray on the foliage when no rain is expected for 1 hour.
Creeping Charlie may also be controlled with Scotts Step 2 in the spring. This application will provide control of the weeds along with a fertilizer for a stronger, healthier lawn. Apply to wet foliage and allow the granules to remain undisturbed for at least 24 hours.
For southern lawns, Creeping Charlie may be spot treated with Ortho Weed B Gon MAX Ready-To-Use or with a broadcast application of Scotts Bonus S. The Scotts Bonus S will provide control of the weeds along with a fertilizer for a stronger, healthier lawn.
Apply either the Scotts or Ortho products once daytime temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees. Do not mow for 2 days before or after application. A second application of the Ortho Weed Be Gon MAX may be necessary 2 weeks later. Follow all package instructions for best results."