Big Ivy

[Maf]

I have a big (6') ivy in an 18" pot that was given as a present.

It's fairly tatty as it got knocked about a bit thru the winter.

I planted it yesterday but the stalks are way too long to tie on to the wall.

Can I lay the stalks along the bottom of the wall at different lengths (a bit like a cordon) and cut it back so I get new growth arizing vertically from each stalk ?

Will it cope with such hacking ?

[Flummery]

That should work. They are seriously tough.

[yoanbob]

you will never get rid of it!

[rustylady]

Ivy will cope with almost anything (unless you've spent a fortune on buying it, then it usually curls up its toes and dies on you). Either cut it right back and let it put out it's own new shoots which will find their way up the wall, or layer it as you suggested. Ivy produces roots all along its stems, which either make new plants when on soil, or cling to vertical surfaces such as fences and walls. You really shouldn't need to tie it to anything.

[Maf]

you will never get rid of it!

I don't want to get rid...

I want to cover the dodgy pointing ASAP


Ivy is the only thing holding some of the houses round here together

And the birdies will be chuffed.

[Paul Wagland]

That's true - it's a really great habitat for insects and nesting birds. Ours is alive at this time of year, sounds like the birdy bit in a pet shop!

[JennieAtkinson]

Can anyone recommend a good ivy that would grow well? Everything I get just shrivels up and dies - it never gets around to making any suckers! I would love something green to grow up and over the shed.

[Maf]

My ivys (the established ones) can be propogated easilly by hardwood cuttings in autumn.

I guess you are taking about the little pots that you can get at B&Q and the likes. These are reared in heated greenhouses and get the shock of there life when planted into garden soil.

When Ivy reaches a cirtain height the leaves change shape and the plant become fertile. If you take cuttings from the adult growth you should have better luck

[JennieAtkinson]

Its really more the case Maf that everything is a struggle to get established here! I didn't know about taking cuttings from adult growth. My son has ivy growing on one of his walls (here in Shetland) but I've been taking young growth cuttings. Doh!

[Maf]

I've just looked at the 5 day forcast for Shetland and it's colder and windier here up in the Yorkshire Dales

[yoanbob]

I'll send you all of our ivy jennie, its in a cold shaded spot and grows way too fast and I hate the stuff.

I think it can look nice on houses but where mine is its just in the way of my wheel barrow.

[JennieAtkinson]

I've just looked at the 5 day forcast for Shetland and it's colder and windier here up in the Yorkshire Dales

Its not that bad up here really
I think we have F9 for tonight and wintry showers for the next few days.

I'll send you all of our ivy jennie, its in a cold shaded spot and grows way too fast and I hate the stuff.

Oooooh yes please A small bit would be great. I started a thread two years ago as to what flowers/plants would take over my garden! I've still got some bare patches!

[Flummery]

So who is Big Ivy? I might know her! Any relation to Big Bertha?