Hello,
I have an unsightly wire fence that would look quite pretty covered in English Ivy. Is it possible to start with an ivy plant, and coax it through the fence as it grows? Thanks!
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cheshirekat
- Senior Member
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Mon May 12, 2008 11:13 pm
- Location: Denver, CO (zone 5)
One of the biggest regrets you may have in your gardening life is planting English Ivy. It is extremely invasive. I'm not talking about just covering fences as it will take over plants, pots, and it may also do structural damage to your home. Even if the fence isn't close to your house, you will have to worry about it getting to your house, and rather too soon it will. If your house is all brick, you may be lucky enough to get just minimal damage. But otherwise, the cost of the repairs from English Ivy damage is high. You will not make any friends of your neighbors, especially if you share the fence or the fence you intend to use is close to their property.
If you want to know more details about how invasive it is, do a google search for "invasive English Ivy".
Depending on how high the fence is and the sun exposure, you would be much better off planting something like grape vines, and you get to eat the rewards.
If you want to know more details about how invasive it is, do a google search for "invasive English Ivy".
Depending on how high the fence is and the sun exposure, you would be much better off planting something like grape vines, and you get to eat the rewards.
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opabinia51
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 4659
- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:58 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC
Yes, Ivy is extremely invasive. I always try to detur people from planting it. Around my living area and even a good part of my town Ivy has taken over many of the forests and is choking out thte local vegetation and even the 60 foot tall Pines and Cedars.
It is very hard to get rid of once planted.
Try a passion flower or a clematis (and that note, does anyone know the invasiveness of clematis?) or some other vine. You might even plant a hedge of some sort. I like Helianthus maximillani which is a perennial sunflower with edible protrusions that grow off of the main stem. Apparently it's a deer barrier as well. But, that won't matter for you case.
It is very hard to get rid of once planted.
Try a passion flower or a clematis (and that note, does anyone know the invasiveness of clematis?) or some other vine. You might even plant a hedge of some sort. I like Helianthus maximillani which is a perennial sunflower with edible protrusions that grow off of the main stem. Apparently it's a deer barrier as well. But, that won't matter for you case.
Clematis is not invasive. I have to agree with the others, E Ivy is a real "thug". Very invasive and hard to get rid of.
You also might consider some roses, go for the tall rugosa or ramblers. They get huge with little encouragement. Most are tough, hardy and very disease resistant. Very easy to care for.
You also might consider some roses, go for the tall rugosa or ramblers. They get huge with little encouragement. Most are tough, hardy and very disease resistant. Very easy to care for.