Plant English Ivy
English ivy is an evergreen vine that is grown as a ground cover or a climbing vine. Juvenile vines grow 3 or 5 lobed leaves; whereas mature English ivy plants produce broad leaves without any lobes. English ivy reaches maturity only after it is allowed to climb. If you use it as a ground cover, the ivy will not mature.
Steps
- Choose the right spot to plant English ivy.
- English ivy prefers partial sun or filtered shade, but it will grow in full shade. If you plant ivy in an area that is not shaded during the heat of the day, provide the plant with a shade screen for the first 4 to 6 months.
- Ivy is an invasive plant, so pick an area where it has plenty of room to grow and will not interfere with other plants.
- Be absolutely certain you want to plant it, as it's invasive, considered a weed in many areas and not allowed in some. See Warnings below.
- Check the pH level of the soil before planting. English ivy grows best in a pH of around 7.
- Adjust the pH level of your soil if needed. Add hydrated lime to raise the alkalinity, or sulfur to raise the acidity. Follow package directions when adjusting your soil pH, and then test the soil again to check the new pH level.
- Till the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) and amend it will organic compost if needed. English ivy grow best in well-drained, fertile soil.
- Dig a hole 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) deep. The hole should be slightly wider than the plant's root base.
- Pinch off the bottom few leaves on the plant. This stimulates the growth of the plant and its roots.
- Put the roots of the plant into the hole, with the base of the stem at ground level. Fill in the hole with soil.
- Water the ivy well after planting to help it get established.
- Spread 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) of mulch around the plant. Mulch helps plants retain moisture and prevents weeds from growing.
Tips
- If you are planting multiple English ivy plants to use as a ground cover, space the plants 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) apart. In time the plants will grow together covering the ground.
- Ivy is easy to propagate through cuttings. Take a 4 to 6 inch (10 to 15 cm) cutting from a growing shoot off of the end of a branch. Place the cutting in water near a window where it gets sunlight and plant it after roots form.
Warnings
- If allowed to climb, English ivy will reach sexual maturity and begin to propagate once it reaches the top of whatever it climbs. New shoots will come out of the ground from the root base of a mature English ivy plant.
- English Ivy is incredibly invasive and difficult to kill. It will destroy any plants, trees and occasional house that gets in its path. There is no effective way to contain this plant. Once it begins to mature and produce fruit, birds will spread the weed rapidly.
- Although ivy roots will not grow into a sound brick-and-mortar building, if allowed to grow on a wood building the plant may keep the moisture level of the wood too high, causing it to rot.
- In some areas, the intentional planting of English ivy is illegal.
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