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Talkback: Ivy in the garden

I agree about ivy. I have let a lot grow in my garden however I am cutting back on it - hope it isn't too late!

Thanks - Jane

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  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    Ivy - the first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, the third year it leaps! So true!

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • The wildlife just love it!
  • Its A great plant to have in the right place, it has so many benefits and really attractive to look at all year round, wildlife love it too!
  • I have lots of ivy growing over our fence from the neighbour. It covers our fence next to our veg patch. Whats the best way to keep control of the ivy to ensure it doesnt take over? There seem to be lots of flies and insects buzzing around it at the moment so I also dont want to disturb them.
  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    Take a saw, secateurs and anything else you need to cut great chunks out of it, to get it to a manageable size. It will soon fill up again.



    It is valuable to wildlife, but it is a bad neighbour. It will pull down fences and root everywhere it touches the ground.
  • I have ivy growing at ground level across some beds. i leave it under some shrubs where I want a wild garden effect, and it suppresses the weeds too. Elsewhere it's for the chop.

    Not sure if it rots down in the compost heap though. Does anyone have experience?

  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    My ivy holds the wall together! We prune it quite hard at the end of August when we are certain the birds have left. It is the local tower block for blue tits! I love the flower heads at Christmas and the leaves give year round foliage for indoor flowers 

     

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,019

    I'm staring to hate it almost as much as Virginia Creeper! Some took root in the compost heap. I never planted any, but I live in a forest that is covered in it, it is trying to spread across my garden.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Yes, ivy constantly tries to take over my garden , it's a continuing chore to keep it down. What is worse is that both my lovely neighbours are not bothered by the creeping pest, and so it comes back up and under the fences on all three sides. Any ideas on keeping it abay on a permanent basis without killing my plants .
  • YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,066

    I love ivy.  I keep it cut back and just pull up any errant tendrils that take root.  The birds love it, the bees adore it especially at the end of the year when there isn't much nectar about.  I don't let it climb the brickwork and so far it hasn't bought any fences down in fact it supports them and it gives a lovely backdrop to the summer flowers.  It's an old house and the ivy has been there a very long time.

    Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
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