Bindweed in hedgerow

[WeeGarden]

I've just moved to a slightly bigger garden which is bound by native hedgerow on one side. Among the usual hedgerow plants - brambles/black bryony/field maple/ sloes/hawthorn, I've spotted some bindweed.

Should I just let the whole hedge do its own thing, as in, the bindweed is also a native plant, or should I be looking to get rid of it? The hedge will be next to lawn... And perhaps about 15m away from my planned veggie patch, if that makes a difference?

Thanks in advance for any advice, I've never had to deal with a hedgerow before! (Partly excited, partly terrified!)

[muddled]

There are two types of bindweed.

One is the destructive, strangling triffid that gets quickly out of hand...
The other is rather more delicate and seems to be able to live alongside other plants but be kept in check.

They are called field bindweed and hedge bindweed but its 2 in the morning and I can't remember which is which

Anyway, I think you need to identify which you have before deciding whether to take action

[Cadalot]

Personally I hate the blinking stuff and have been fighting it on and off for the last 25 years it is invasive and makes its way under flagstones and into my space saver greenhouse which is up against a fence with the hedge with the bindweed on the other side.

[roitelet]

Hedge bindweed has large white flowers and the field bindweed is lower growing and has small pinky flowers.

I am sorry to say that you will never get rid of it from a hedge. The roots go down a very long way. The best thing to do is manage it. Cultivate as close to the hedge as possible annually and remove any white roots. Don't leave even the smallest bit behind as it will re grow. When it is growing pull as much out of the hedge as possible, this will eventually weaken the plant and it will be less vigorous. It is a never ending job but you will get on top of it in the end.

I would also try to limit the brambles and black bryony and let the other plants take over.

[WeeGarden]

Thank you all for your replies!

It's definitely hedge bindweed, with the white trumpet flowers... I actually find them quite attractive

Roitlet - what is the reasoning behind controlling the brambles and bryony? Are they less desirable hedgerow plants?

I do want to get on top of the brambles, as the blackberries are not very good - tiny and pippy. What are people's thoughts on introducing a cultivated variety into the hedgerow?

The black bryony was a bit of a worry as highly poisonous and attractive red berries but I was of the mind to educate the Littlies rather than eradicate. I'll control it then.

[roitelet]

I think you have answered your own questions. Brambles grow much faster than the other hedgerow plants and if the berries aren't good there is no point in keeping them. The bryony as you said is highly poisonous and grows at a rate of knots.

The blackthorn will also send out runners into your lawn.