Hedge bindweed is a perennial, herbaceous weedy vine or wildflower in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). It can be found growing in disturbed areas including cropland, pastures, abandoned fields, streams 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. This vine climbs vertically and horizontally, reaching 10 feet, twining 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 nearby. The plant is difficult to eradicate as can regrow from any part of the rhizomes left in the ground and also self-seeds. The trumpet-shaped white to pale pink flowers appear in late spring through frost and can be distinguished from large birdweed by the bracts that don't overlap once the flower opens. The plant is not appropriate for the home garden. Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. This vine can spread aggressively and become a nuisance in some locations.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Climbing; Horizontal
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Whorled
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
2.5 to 5 inch by 1 to 2 inch leathery alternate leaves are triangular in shape and sparsely to moderately distributed along the stems. The basal lobes are squared off but sometimes more rounded. and strongly indented. Paler undersides may have fine hairs. Margins are slightly hairy.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Funnel
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Living for one day, the white to pink funnel-shaped flowers close up around noon unless it is cloudy. The slightly 5-lobed flowers are 2.5 to 3 inches across with bracts at the base that do not overlap. The corollas are white to pale pink and deep in the throat is yellow. Slender petioles are about 1/2 the length of the leaves. Bloom time is summer
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Black; Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Oval seed capsules are a little less than ½ inch across. 2-4 dull brown to black seeds are released when the capsule splits open
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The twining stems are light green to red, glabrous to slightly hairy, and terete.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Eurasia
Distribution
USA: Lower continental 48 states. Canada: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT