Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Plants dying near ivy fence

Ophelia76Ophelia76 Posts: 7
in Problem solving
I’m new and looking for some advice on what to do with a small south facing patch of garden (see photos).

Nothing seems to grow here, apart from weeds and a lavender bush (which gets bigger every year and always flowers). I tried planting a viburnum and fuchsia - the viburnum seemed okay in spring but then the leaves turned yellowish and shrivelled up, and the fuchsia just died! I’ve sowed various annual flower seeds but they never grow either.

The fence by this area is covered with ivy. I like it and I’m quite happy to keep it but I’m wondering if that’s what is causing the problem by taking all the nutrients and water from the soil. I don’t want to waste any more money on plants that will just die, so what can I do with this area? I’m happy to plant anything really, as long as it’s safe for cats and ideally wildlife friendly.

Any help is much appreciated!



«1

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited September 2023
    @Ophelia76 I think you are right the Ivy is taking all the water an nutrients. It is a mature plant as it has plenty of flowers and then berries for wildlife if your cat isn't bothered by the birds.
    The fact that it is growing on a fence is a concern, Ivy growth is too strong for a 6ft fence panel and I have seen rotten fences held together with Ivy.
    In early spring before nesting you could cut it back really hard, a mess for a while but it will soon get going with some water. It won't flower next Autumn.
    If your fence panel needs replacing you could consider a new start with a more suitable climber but not sure you will find an evergreen
    Depending on where you live an your type of soil you may be able to try some more exotic plants. An opportunity for a project maybe.
    Just to add the roots of the Ivy will grow less slowly if you give a hard cutback. However you will still have issues when planting as it is likely that an Ivy of that size has a fairly big root run.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Ivy is a marvellous food resource for wildlife … late season nectar for bees and other insects in the autumn and berries in the winter for the birds. 

    However, as @GardenerSuze very rightly says, it can become too heavy panel fences, especially when the foliage is weighted down with heavy rain, and can cause the fence to collapse. Therefore cutting it hard back every two or three years in mid February, before nesting time, is a sensible way to manage the ivy and still retain its benefits to wildlife. 

    You may find that Dryopteris and Harts Tongue ferns can cope with the conditions there, if they’re given additional watering for the first year to get them established. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Ophelia76Ophelia76 Posts: 7
    Thank you both.

    The fence is very old and I’m pretty sure the ivy is the only thing holding it up! We do normally cut it back but we’ve missed a couple of years, which is why it’s got so big.

    I’m not sure I can face trying to get rid of the ivy, or replacing the fence (unless it falls down, in which case the decision will be made!).

    I suppose what I’m really looking for is plants that can cope with growing near the ivy, if such a thing exists! The lavender seems pretty happy but that’s not right next to the ivy, which might be why it’s okay.

    If all else fails, I will put down a weed membrane, gravel the area and grow in containers instead. Just wanted to check whether there is another solution first.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited September 2023
    @Ophelia76 Perhaps I could suggest the pots option? The bigger the pot less watering. I am not sure you will be able to dig a hole in the shade of the Ivy it will not be the best start for any plant.Planting close to Ivy roots is always a risk plants like Ferns may work but growth could be poor.
    That is why you are having problems all new plants like a good soil and root run. Did you have problems planting your Viburnum and Fuchsia.
    Your Lavenders are 4 /5 years old? They have had time to settle and mature and may not have had the same competition, they are further out and the Ivy may have had a smaller root run when you originally planted them.
    Financially pots could be expensive unless you have some, plus membrane/gravel.You do have a lovely obelisk which you could just place as part of the 'look'' it doesn't need something to grow up it necessarily.
    If the fence gives up that could also be costly too, so it all needs some thought I think.
    I hope you find something that means you can enjoy this little sun trap even on a sunny winters day.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't have the problem of dry shade here, and plant all sorts of things beside ivy, but if you don't have really consistent, plentiful rain all year round, and want plants to thrive, it's worth raising that edging another few inches, clearing the whole area, and adding loads of organic matter. If you can't raise it, you can still add plenty of mulch, and just have less at the front. It won't affect the ivy in any way if it has loads more material at the base either.  :)

    It's pointless trying to plant into unsuitable sites, so it's always about improving the soil you have [so that it either drains better or holds onto moisture more] and then picking plants which can thrive in your climate and conditions. Viburnums and fuchsias wouldn't be happy in a south facing, dry site, underneath all that top growth, as they need decent moisture levels.
    Anything you do plant will need well watered until established too, regardless of what it's ideal conditions are.
    If you plant further forward from the ivy [cut it back hard first ] that will also help. Euphorbias and hardy geraniums will be fine, and so will many bulbs. Sedum spectabile [now called Hylotelephium] will also be fine there. Asters too.  Anything that enjoys the site will also spread. 
    This is a good time of year to renovate the area and get plenty of compost/manure etc down on it, ready to plant in spring. If you keep mulching regularly after thorough watering, the soil will be in much better condition for new plants   :)  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Ophelia76Ophelia76 Posts: 7
    Fairygirl said:
    I don't have the problem of dry shade here, and plant all sorts of things beside ivy, but if you don't have really consistent, plentiful rain all year round, and want plants to thrive, it's worth raising that edging another few inches, clearing the whole area, and adding loads of organic matter. If you can't raise it, you can still add plenty of mulch, and just have less at the front. It won't affect the ivy in any way if it has loads more material at the base either.  :)

    It's pointless trying to plant into unsuitable sites, so it's always about improving the soil you have [so that it either drains better or holds onto moisture more] and then picking plants which can thrive in your climate and conditions. Viburnums and fuchsias wouldn't be happy in a south facing, dry site, underneath all that top growth, as they need decent moisture levels.
    Anything you do plant will need well watered until established too, regardless of what it's ideal conditions are.
    If you plant further forward from the ivy [cut it back hard first ] that will also help. Euphorbias and hardy geraniums will be fine, and so will many bulbs. Sedum spectabile [now called Hylotelephium] will also be fine there. Asters too.  Anything that enjoys the site will also spread. 
    This is a good time of year to renovate the area and get plenty of compost/manure etc down on it, ready to plant in spring. If you keep mulching regularly after thorough watering, the soil will be in much better condition for new plants   :)  
    Thank you! Very helpful advice :)
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    There are large patches of dead ivy.  Either somebody has been cutting it down from the other side of the fence or possibly using strong weedkiller to try to get rid of it.  That could kill other plants.
  • Ophelia76Ophelia76 Posts: 7
    KT53 said:
    There are large patches of dead ivy.  Either somebody has been cutting it down from the other side of the fence or possibly using strong weedkiller to try to get rid of it.  That could kill other plants.
    That was my husband putting up the washing line!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Obviously a chap with Under Gardener potential … just needs training up and clear direction  😉 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Ophelia76Ophelia76 Posts: 7
    Dovefromabove said:
    Obviously a chap with Under Gardener potential … just needs training up and clear direction  😉 
     :D 
Sign In or Register to comment.