Mario Bautista
Ivy plants may appear charming, and some reckon it lends gardens a fairy-tale charm, but English ivy is an invasive weed that can wreak havoc if not dealt with.
It grows rapidly, can overrun plants or entire trees, and will steal both sunlight and nutrients from your garden.
Brittany Baileyn, a gardening guru known online as Pretty Handy Girl, has revealed that while it may look attractive, English ivy is “hiding an ugly secret” that many gardeners might be unaware of.
She explained: “When grown in the yard, this plant can cover the ground not allowing native species to thrive. It is a real problem when it reaches the trees. The vines can strangle the roots of a tree and can cause damage to the bark, plus it adds excess weight to the tree.”
However, Brittany has shared the “absolute easiest” method to eradicate English ivy “for good”, but cautioned that gardeners must first prepare as English ivy can be a “haven” for pests such as spiders and rodents, as well as being toxic.
Brittany advised that it’s best to wear protective gear. She stated: “This battle is a tough one, and you’ll need to gear up before going to battle.”
According to her advice, it’s key to kit yourself out in protective gear like safety glasses, gloves, stout boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and fully-covered trousers before commencing battle with the invasive plant.
Armed with the right tools, Brittany advises using a string trimmer, mower, rake or hoe to deal with pesky ivy on the ground. However, when taking on ivy creeping up trees, she puts forth loppers or pruning shears as her weapons of choice.
A potent mixture of white vinegar or advanced herbicide spray is also recommended to finish off the stubborn creeper.
Kicking off the mission to rid your space of English ivy, Brittany emphasises the importance of scoring the ivy initially before attacking it with a herbicide capable of delivering the final blow.
She points out that this tactic is not suitable for poison ivy as hacking into that toxic plant risks spreading its noxious sap far and wide.
Highlighting the ivy’s defence mechanisms, Brittany mentioned: “Ivy has a waxy leaf that is highly resistant to herbicides, therefore it’s best to score or cut the ivy before applying your choice of herbicide or vinegar.
“You can use a string trimmer to cut the leaves off the ivy. This will create an open would and allow the plant to absorb the herbicide more easily.”
When it comes to ivy at ground level, Brittany suggests a lawnmower is your quickest option to chop it down. Yet for ivy entangled with trees, she strongly advocates the sole use of loppers or shears to prevent harm to the branches.
And when wielding those tools, Brittany instructed: “Pull the ivy several feet away from the trunk of the tree. Inspect the larger roots at the base of the trunk and look for ivy growing over the roots.”
If you spot any, cut it to prevent the ivy from strangling the tree roots.
Once cut, spray the ivy and wait for the vines to turn brown and eventually fall off. It’s crucial not to just yank at the ivy on a tree as it can cause serious harm, but once properly sprayed, the English ivy should be “permanently” eradicated from a garden.
