Was Ivy a sensible choice ?

matts

Hi all,

I'm a novice gardener (this is my first ever year with a trowel in my hand) and I could do with some advice about some Ivy i have planted around a pond.

I have read a number of threads of this forum that suggest that Ivy can be a nightmare to control.

Some background: I dug the pond out in April. It has a PVC liner, stones around it to hold the liner in place and create the small waterfall.

I planted some ferns and Ivy around the back of the waterfall. As the stones are only held together using soil and gravity, i wanted a plant that would help bind the stones (and the soil by the roots) together. This is where the idea of using Ivy came in.

I've been reading that Ivy can be a real problem child in the garden and i could really use some advice as to whether it was a mistake to use it (especially with the PVC liner material) .

If it is a mistake, and as they are still small, I can take it out over the bank holiday weekend but what should i replace it with to achieve what i wanted to use  the Ivy for ?

I've attached pics of the two offending Ivys.

Thanks for all your help.

Last edited: 25 August 2016 10:43:06

Dovefromabove

Hi Matts and welcome aboard

I don't think that they'll be a problem, as long as you don't let them get ambitious and start spreading across your garden, up your fences and over into your next door neighbours' gardens 

Just chop them back with shears/secateurs when they stray out of their allotted space and they'll be a lovely habitat for wildlife around your pond.  

Ceres

Ivy can get away from you when your back is turned. I have a lot of it in my garden, planted deliberately, but I wouldn't use it near the pond because it can grow huge. Dove is right.......it'll be fine if you just keep chopping the stuff back but give it a chance and it will take over.

matts

Thanks for the replies Dovefromabove and Ceres. Food for thought.

I take it that the Ivy will not sprout in unwanted places from underground runners or pull any surprises like that ?

Just how quickly does it grow when it's established Ceres ? Will i be fighting it every other week ?

I do like it but some of the things i have read have made me reconsider, especially as the back it the pond is close(ish) to a fence and slightly difficult to get to without performing both the high jump and the limbo at the same time.

Last edited: 25 August 2016 19:43:46

Ceres

Ivy roots easily where the stems touch the ground so it can travel across the plot if you don't watch it. A mature specimen can need cutting back every month (she types, bitterly, as the wretched plant covers the compost bins and cuts off access to the wheelie bins). Its wonderful as ground cover in wooded areas and covers fences with alarming speed, the birds love it and bees like the flowers. I like it but its not a plant for those who want a quiet life.

nutcutlet

i don't think it's suitable but I can't think of anything similar but more restrained.

666panda

We inherited an ivy lovers garden and I'm not sure we will ever get rid of it all out of the hedges. My advice would be to keep it firmly in check!!

matts

Thanks all.

Being a novice, I really appreciate all your advice and experience and the fact you are all willing to share it.

I'm going to take the Ivy out, as i don't think it's the right plant in the right location given the time i can devote to controlling it, and i will look into your suggestions Verdun.

Once again, thanks and a pleasant bank holiday to you all

Ceres

I think if you want to bind the rocks together you need to think about using a bit of mortar, filling the cracks left with earth and growing something creeping that isn't ivy. I have creeping thyme around my pond because it is evergreen, creeps (obviously), and has wonder pink flowers that the bees adore. Planted with grasses it can look lovely.