Silver Lace Vine (Fallopia aubertii), also known as Russian-vine or mile-a-minute vine, is a vigorous climbing plant. Despite its ornamental appeal, its aggressive, invasive nature makes it a significant concern in many regions due to its extremely rapid growth.
Understanding Silver Lace Vine
Silver Lace Vine is a woody perennial vine that can reach lengths of 25 to 40 feet. Its stems are long and twisting, often reddish-green, becoming woody near the base. The leaves are simple, alternate, and typically heart-shaped to pointed oval, measuring 1.5 to 4 inches long. In late summer and early fall, the plant produces numerous small, fragrant white or greenish-white flowers arranged in slender, branched clusters up to 8 inches long, giving it a “lacy” appearance. Originally from Asia, it was introduced to North America as an ornamental plant.
Reasons for Its Invasiveness
Silver Lace Vine is classified as invasive due to its exceptionally fast growth rate, capable of increasing by 15 to 26 feet per year. It spreads primarily through vegetative means, developing an extensive network of rhizomes, which are underground stems that can produce new shoots. Root and stem fragments can also readily re-root and establish new plants, making manual removal challenging. While less common in North America, it can also spread by producing small, shiny black seeds or pinkish, triangular fruits. This adaptability allows it to thrive in various conditions, including full sun to partial shade and a wide range of soil types.
Impacts of Silver Lace Vine Invasion
Silver Lace Vine’s aggressive growth poses significant ecological and structural threats. It rapidly twines around and grows over existing vegetation, including tall trees, smothering native plants by blocking sunlight and weighing them down. This unchecked growth reduces biodiversity by outcompeting desirable species and altering natural habitats. Beyond ecological damage, its vigorous climbing habit and woody stems can cause structural damage to buildings, fences, and other infrastructure. The vine’s dense growth can form impenetrable monocultures, making it difficult for other plants to establish and for wildlife to navigate.
Managing Silver Lace Vine
Controlling Silver Lace Vine infestations requires persistent effort, often combining manual and chemical approaches. Manual removal is difficult because the plant readily re-grows from root and stem fragments, necessitating the complete extraction of all plant parts. Digging out the extensive rhizome system is crucial, and any removed plant material should be carefully disposed of in yard waste bins or contained areas to prevent re-rooting. Repeated cutting alone is not an effective control method as the plants will quickly re-grow.
Chemical control can be more effective, particularly for larger infestations. Herbicides containing glyphosate or imazapyr are often recommended, as Silver Lace Vine is closely related to invasive knotweed species, which respond to these treatments.
The most effective time for herbicide application is typically in late summer or early fall, when the plant is actively drawing nutrients down to its roots, allowing the herbicide to translocate throughout the entire plant, including the rhizomes. Application during bud, early flower, or when seeds start to form can also be effective. When applying herbicides, exercise caution to avoid damaging desirable plants growing intertwined with the vine. Pulling vines away from other plants before spraying or wiping the herbicide directly onto the foliage can help prevent unintended damage. Adhering to product label instructions for safety and effectiveness is always important.
Prevention and Responsible Planting
Preventing new Silver Lace Vine infestations is more straightforward than managing established ones and promotes responsible gardening practices. Before planting any vine, correctly identify the species to ensure it is not invasive. Opting for native or non-invasive alternatives is a beneficial practice.
Suitable non-invasive climbing plants that can provide similar coverage and aesthetic appeal include trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). Regularly inspecting property boundaries and wild areas for early signs of Silver Lace Vine growth can help address new outbreaks before they become widespread and difficult to control.