@Fairygirl ,We had it growing up the front of the house and it was getting to grow into the gas metre so it really had to go! But on the shed it mingles with another thug, a mermaid rambling rose. They fight it out between themselves and have created a canopy over the roof where I hang all the bird feeders from, I don't prune often otherwise the gaps get big enough for visiting sparrow hawks to get at the little birds. That's my excuse for leaving it a tangle! Couldn't agree more @CharlotteF especially small garden!!
Right plant, right place again I have some in behind the shed [it often tries to grow inside it too ] but I don't have it anywhere else, other than a couple of smaller types, or bits in pots that can then be used for winter pot displays.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When we moved to our current garden (which had not been ‘gardened’ for a few years) all three boundary fences were covered with mature ivy, full of flowers with bees buzzing and evidence of wrens and robins nesting.
However within a week of us moving in (we were still unpacking) heavy rain had weighed down the arboreal growth of the ivy so much that it had brought the fence crashing to the ground along most of the southern boundary. We had to remove all the ivy (three very large skips) and have the entire garden refenced.
Ivy is a fantastic wildlife resource, particularly once it reaches its arboreal stage, stops clinging, and produces its flowers and berries … however it is at this stage that it requires an incredibly sturdy support structure as it acts as a sail in the wind, and rain makes it heavier than a panel fence can support.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
@Fire. I can’t see me getting back to London, but thank you for the offer and you’re welcome here anytime. I went back in 1995, couldn’t believe all the new roads, although my house and high street were exactly the same, apart from the shops.
@CharlotteF. Please let us know what you decide to do about the ivy, but don’t upset the neighbour over it, all you can do your side is keep picking it out, have you got enough compost sacks, turn the bag inside out so if it’s seen its only black and not a multi coloured hedge😀
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
spot on @Dovefromabove! I've had 2 customers this year lose fence panels to ivy, another the ivy had made the original victorian brick low garden wall lean at a dangerous angle! Such a shame! @Fairygirl my mermaid rose has gone inside the shed and pushed the gutters away from the walls. The birds don't mind, more places for them to pick bugs from!
I inherited a very low maintenaince garden and proceeded to make it intensive. 🙄 I can see myself tacking back towards easy shrubs and trees after nine years of annuals and attempting perennials which are generally eaten.
The wild versus the controlled is such an interesting line to walk and explore.
Your pics reminded me of an ivy laden fence we inherited @Fire. Ours was across the garden though, separating the front from the back at the side. It even arched out over the path. It was a haven for wildlife of course and though I cut it right back from time to time ivy did what ivy does. It went when the builder redid our kitchen and I must say I was pleased to have the garden opened up. That area is now our veg patch! Your garden looks lovely in all the pics.
And for anyone reading this later on down the line, single roses can be generally great for pollinators - ramblers or otherwise. Repeat ramblers are now a thing - ones that re-flower through the season. Late flowering clems like terniflora are also great for providing late nectar and can flower into November, like ivy.
I hope @rolanda.woo will check in with us and keep us posted on developments. 🌱
Posts
Couldn't agree more @CharlotteF especially small garden!!
I have some in behind the shed [it often tries to grow inside it too ] but I don't have it anywhere else, other than a couple of smaller types, or bits in pots that can then be used for winter pot displays.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When we moved to our current garden (which had not been ‘gardened’ for a few years) all three boundary fences were covered with mature ivy, full of flowers with bees buzzing and evidence of wrens and robins nesting.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I went back in 1995, couldn’t believe all the new roads, although my house and high street were exactly the same, apart from the shops.
@CharlotteF. Please let us know what you decide to do about the ivy, but don’t upset the neighbour over it, all you can do your side is keep picking it out, have you got enough compost sacks, turn the bag inside out so if it’s seen its only black and not a multi coloured hedge😀
@Fairygirl my mermaid rose has gone inside the shed and pushed the gutters away from the walls. The birds don't mind, more places for them to pick bugs from!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.