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Ivy in shrubbery, is it a good low maintenance option?

Super gardenerSuper gardener Posts: 106
in Plants
I have a fairly shady shrubbery containing cotoneaster trees, berberis thunbergii, as the larger shrubs. I have previously underplanted with primulas ferns pulmonaria  and perennials etc but I am keen to reduce maintenance as it's hard to get in amongst it.   Should I let the ivy take over ? it provides good ground cover but is climbing up the shrubs now.
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Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    no
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The ivy will cover everything within a couple of years.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Ivy is OK, but it's not really a low-maintenance option as it will quickly grow up trees and smother shrubs if left to its own devices, as you are finding.  If you change your mind in a few years time, you'll regret it when trying to remove the 'runners' on the ground, which will root where they touch soil.  Even though it's sometimes invasive, Vinca minor is a possibly better option as an evergreen groundcover, and is relatively easy to pull-up compared to common ivy.  Some of the less vigorous Hedera helix cultivars might work though.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    At the bottom of our garden we have lots of ivy on our fence that is coming over from next door. Its growth is so thick and fast that it smothered everything they had in the garden and if i don't trim it to stop it creeping into ours it will do the same. 
    On the plus side it does provide a great habitat for the blackbirds to nest so I've let it get thick at the top of the fence and it does give lots of nice flowers and berries which the bees and birds like, so I control it back to this growth. It's not low maintenance in anyway but for now doesn't cause many problems. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Absolutely no!
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    No No No .We have the devil of a job with it creeping through from next door and smothering our plants. They too thought it would be nice …….it isn’t ! 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I have ivy running through shrubbery and I quite like it, but, by god it takes work to stay on top of it. It layers and roots everywhere, it snakes out into the street, it grows a mile a minute. I am considering trying to strip it out of the hedge - not that easy in my case.
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    Fighting a losing battle with ivy in my garden. Everywhere it takes a hold, it just spreads like mad. It’s taken me weeks to drag up as much as I can from one area, only to turn round and find another area has been taken over. 
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I have an ivy (Hedera 'Duckfoot') which I use as a ground cover under some shrubs.
    It is very well behaved but I give it a good trim once a year and keep an eye on it for runners throughout the rest year. Check around the shrubs and keep a free circle around them.
    I think as long as you keep it under control it is OK.
    A small leaved slow grower is best.
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • Super gardenerSuper gardener Posts: 106
    I was deluding myself wasn't I? Thank you all for nipping that idea in the bud😂
    Will have a look at Vinca Minor, and get to grips with the ivy as soon as the rain stops!
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