Boston Ivy

Union Cane

Hello gardeners, I'm new and as you will see I have very little gardening knowledge. Just bought a house with a sizeable garden, so I'm looking to learn. First up, I have a garden wall that until recently was home to a magnificent Boston Ivy, with the plant running along the top of the wall and hanging down maybe a foot on each side. It looked really good, especially in the last few weeks when the leaves turned brilliant shades of red and pink. All was well until the big winds of last Monday, and virtually all the leaves were blown off, leaving just the actual creepery bit with lots of pink stalks sticking out. It looks like some sort of huge pink hairy caterpillar. Anyway, I was wondering whether I should just leave it as it is or cut it back so that it starts again next year?

Fairygirl

The one where I work is looking just the same so don't worry - it's just what happens. They'll drop off too and it will return in all it's glory next year. 

Dovefromabove

Hello and welcome Union Cane - that sounds a fabulous sight and I'm deeply envious.  

Just leave it alone and it will be fine - you can of course trim it back if it's creeping where you don't want it to go, and now is a good time to do it, while you can see the structure, but as for the main body of the plant, there's nothing you need to do.