Ivy

[KimmyMarkks]

I absolutely love ivy plants but I’ve heard they can be dangerous to grow outside because they become like a weed and take over. Is this true? I have one indoors and it has grown into a beautiful plant but it is limited to the pot. I have also heard (but I’m not 100% sure) that certain types of ivy can kill trees?


Please correct me if I am wrong!

 

[marlingardener]

Kimmy, some ivies, English Ivy for example, is very invasive and hard to control (it's also toxic to pets and children). A heavy infestation of ivy will take over the canopy of a tree and kill the tree by depriving it of light and air circulation. That is easily taken care of by cutting the stems of the vine at the base of the tree and letting the vines die.
What kind of ivy are you growing in your pot?

 

[IcyBC]

I agree with @marlingardener about ivy being very invasive! I don't like vine plants as they are mostly invasive. I have creeping myrtle that is very hard to get rid off, and even with morning glory flowers, it killed my rose bush and peonies when I didn't realize how they choke the heck out of the other plants.

 

[claudine]

My parents had an English Ivy in their garden. It grew extremely fast and took over half of the space. I remember it climbed one wall of their house.
So they decided to get rid of it, even though it looked really pretty
I grow ivy indoors, in pots.

 

[Sheal]

The roots also produce runners which means it will spread and take over large areas. If any root is left in when trying to dig the runners out it will re-shoot and start to take over again.

 

[KimmyMarkks]

Thank you! I feel ignorant for not knowing this. This is what I have in my house and I will keep it in doors. I definitely don't want to spread like crazy.

 

[Sheal]

We're all here to help each other Kimmy and it doesn't matter how much gardening experience we have, we never stop learning.

There's no reason why you can't have ivy outside, if it's kept in a pot the roots can be kept under control. Stand it on something solid so that the roots don't grow through the drainage holes and into the soil beneath.

 

[marlingardener]

Kimmy, ditto what Sheal said about all of us learning! I've been gardening for 40 years and am still learning, often from this site! Please don't feel "ignorant"--you have the smarts to ask, and to take into consideration the impact of your gardening

 

[KimmyMarkks]

I'm glad I asked before trying to do it myself. I will definitely grow it outside but keep it confined to a pot. I don't need it taking up my whole garden!

 

[marlingardener]

Kimmy, make sure that the pot is on a hard surface. I keep mint in a pot sitting on a couple of bricks so the roots don't get out of the pot and into the ground. You may want to do the same with your pot of ivy--a paving block, flat stone, bricks, anything hard that will keep the ivy from sending out roots and runners into your garden.

 

[Bootsy]

Ivy doesn't cause a problem if kept under control. We have quite a few varieties growing in our garden and are a haven for wildlife. Bees love the flowers, beneficial insects live in it and birds nest in it. I have wrens and robins nesting in the ivy outside my office window . The only problem this causes is distracting me from my work

Hedera helix (English Ivy) happens to be a very fast growing one once it's established. This can still be kept under control with little effort but you cannot afford to just ignore it and let it go. We trim its growth back three times a year (an easy task) and check the root growth a couple of times a year. We've been growing them here for over 40 years.

There are some really lovey varieties of variegated and golden ivies. Some are slow growing and quite attractive. The leaf size, depending on variety, can vary from 1" across to 9" across.

Ivy does not kill trees. It is not a parasite but just uses the tree as a support. It is wrongly thought to kill them because ivy prefers to climb trees that are already dying. This isn't because it can tell that the tree is sick but because the upper canopy of a sick tree is much thinner (tree unable to produce enough leaves) and therefore lets a lot more light in. This is why it climbs the tree.

This is a very good article, particularly about English ivy (most others are nowhere near as invasive but still need care and attention):-

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=192

 

[Daren]

Good Advice Bootsy I find so many small Birds nesting in Ivy .....Loads......... I kind of Leave it be, Where I can. But Control Is often Needed. I love seeing it on fencing as I hate Fences in general And having Ivy gives the Birds a place to nest, I often remove from Brickwork As it can damage the wall.It all depends on the wall mind As again Ivy is much better than many a brick to look at (and nest in if your a bird). Trees I leave If I can not see much life in or it is Dead But Living tree's that seem in good health I mostly remove the ivy from. My favourite tool for striping it off a tree or wall is a machete. I always strike the ivy with the machete down the bark of a tree or wall not at it mind lol that would Damage tree of wall Or even worse Brake me machete If its just a bit of pruning mind a pair of sectors /hand shears or a hedge trimmer is a better bet

 

[Bootsy]

For removing ivy from the trunks of trees, without damaging the tree, it is best to slide a screwdriver between the ivy trunk and the tree. Slightly lever the ivy away and then use a pair of secateurs (or a saw if it is too thick) to cut through it. Then you can pull it away from the tree.

Ivy doesn't damage brickwork but its climbing roots do attach to the surface and get left behind when the ivy is removed. If you remove it gently it will take more of the roots with it. A pressure washer is good for removing the little roots if it's on a large area. Otherwise a wire brush is usually good enough.

If left on the wall the ivy can actually give it protection from the elements.

Never let it grow under the eaves of the roof or up to the edge of the eaves. Leave a clear area of at least 6" between the top of the ivy and the roof. Otherwise you are making a nice pathway for mice to climb up to your roof.

 

[Owdboggy]

The National collection of Ivy is held at Erddig, near to Wrexham in North Wales. There are some really nice leaf forms of it.

 

[rtorir]

I know about the English ivy which can be an excellent ground cover plant for your garden. It adds color and texture to the landscape of your garden. It spreads quickly covering the whole area to make it look so attractive. It also protects soil from erosion. However it is a vigorous climbing plant so it is better if you can control against getting into trees. It is good at attracting birds.