How to Remove Woody Weeds from Groundcover Without Destroying the Bed
Groundcovers like vinca, pachysandra, ivy, and liriope look beautiful—but they can also mask some of the toughest woody weeds. These invaders root deeply, resprout from fragments, and resist casual pulling.
Common Culprits
- English Ivy (Hedera helix): Roots at nodes, forms dense mats—breaks easily and regrows.
- Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica): Twines through beds, rooting everywhere it touches.
- Bittersweet (Celastrus & Solanum species): Twisting vines, woody stems, resprouts aggressively.
- Small Maple & Oak Saplings: Stubborn taproots—even tiny trees snap, regrow, or tear beds.
- Kudzu (Pueraria montana): Massive roots, rapid regrowth.
- Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora): Thorny and resilient.
- Privet (Ligustrum spp.): Deep roots, suckering sprouts.
- Blackberry (Rubus spp.): Bristly canes, extensive root systems.
- Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima): Suckers prolifically, suppresses other plants.
The Problem with Small Tools
Standard hand tools rely solely on your wrist. You end up digging deep, twisting awkwardly, and repeatedly—repetitive use, pressure, and extension quickly lead to pain or injury. Small tools may tug a stubborn root, but long sessions? They’ll wreck your wrists.
The SoilWand Advantage
Articulated handle + diamond-point head = surgical leverage.
- Slide the head under taproots or woody stems in tight spaces
- Use whole‑body leverage—shifting force through shoulders and core, not just wrists
- Extract the entire weed, root and all, without spilling soil or damaging nearby perennials
SoilWand lets you lift stubborn bittersweet, maple saplings, or ivy roots cleanly—no wrist wrenching, no collateral havoc in the bed.