Questions & Answers

CHOOSING A IVY RIGHT FOR YOU

What Ivy Do I Choose?

QUESTION
I live in central New Jersey and am thinking of planting an ivy to make a natural barrier around a yard. The yard is surrounded by a 2 ft. high guard rail, one that you might find running along a highway. My thought is to plant the ivy were the posts are in the ground and let the ivy eventually cover the rail. I've been told that ivy will not grow or attach itself to galvanized metal ( guard rail). Is this true. What particular ivy if any should I use ?

ANSWER
Your idea is a good one. There are several really great ivies that will work for you. Choose a green ivy with medium to large leaves. Some cultivars that would work are: 'Walthamensis', 'Ritterkreuz', 'Rochester', 'Lalla Rookh', 'Touch of Class', 'Dragon Claw' and 'Maple Leaf'. These are only a few. The ivy will grow up and over and around the metal fence. Ivy even grows on chain link fence.

Slow Going

QUESTION
We are working on an article about vines suitable for shade and wondered if you know of a list of ivy cultivars that spread more slowly and are more manageable than the species? Also, are there any sterile cultivars that would not be spread by seed?

ANSWER
Any of the miniature cultivars of ivy (and there are plenty) spread more slowly. This is true mainly as they tend to be more compact. Here's a list of a few:
'Spetchely'
'La Plata'
'Midget'
'Anita'
'Minigreen'
'Troll'
'Cascade'
'Perkeo' This cultivar is more upright in growth, slow growing and has a very interesting rounded leaf -- but it is not really a miniature.
'Conjesta' upright and unusual in habit
'Conglomerata' again, upright and unusual

Variegated -- tend to be less hardy and do not usually become an problem
'Lady France'
'Misty'
'Gertrud Stauss'
'Mini-Ester'
'Calico'
'Tenerife'

I can not tell you for sure that any of the ivy cultivars will not become
adult and flower and produce seed. I will pass your request on to others
who might be able to add to this list and give more information regarding the seed.

One good place to look at ivies that have been established a long time is on the brick walls round River Farm. To my knowledge, some of those ivies were planted back in the 70's. I know AIS added to that collection in the 80's & 90's. Perhaps you could look over those ivies and see how they are performing.

Rapid Growth?

Will it grow in my yard?

QUESTION
I have literally zero to none outdoor gardening experience and almost feel guilty asking questions of people who clearly have more respect for ivy than I ever thought possible, but here it goes. I live in Milwaukee, not the greatest weather. I have a third story deck that openly faces west with 2 walls facing north and south. I was considering growing ivy (although I'm not sure what I'm thinking of is actually ivy having read some of the info on your site) up one of the (wooden) walls which has a trellis at the top. My reasons for doing so include adding a lot of green (maybe even some blossoming colors) to an otherwise colorless and sterile-looking area, and it's also an attempt to absorb some noise pollution from a nearby air conditioner. I guess my question is this: is there anything I can use that will grow very rapidly over a large area with maximum coverage in a short period of time. It has to survive our winter (occasionally -20F) and I have to grow it from a pot (or pots) since it's a third story deck.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If I add some more top soil to the little soil I have, and add some fertilizer, water it well, would this cause my ivy to grow? What else can you suggest.

ANSWER
When choosing an ivy at the nursery, the larger the leaf the faster it will and cover. Many English Ivy (Hedera helix) will grow happily in your environment.

1) The pot would need to be pretty large to support a mass of ivy growing up a wall. Remember that most plants need as much root surface below the soil as leave surface above the soil. Rhat is basic rule of thumb. Since the roots will be in a pot and above the ground it would be a good idea to insulate the container prior to filling with soil to help protect the roots during winter.
2) What kind of siding is on the house? Some older houses with clap board siding can be damage if the ivy is allowed to climb up and grow under the individual boards. As the ivy grows the stems expand and separate the siding. If it is a new home, changes are that you have a newer siding and it will not allow the ivy to grow between the boards. But you should investigate first to be cautious. Self-limiting Ivy

Algerian Ivy Along a Chainlink Fence

QUESTION
I would like to grow Algerian Ivy along a chainlink fence.I don't have a lot of soil, mostly asphalt, but I think I have enough soil to plant the ivy and for it to take root. A little grass seems to be flourish there, so I'm thinking, probably the ivy can too.

If I add some more top soil to the little soil I have, and add some fertilizer, water it well, would this cause my ivy to grow? What else can you suggest.

ANSWER
If you live in a climate that Algerian ivy likes such as southern California, I would say it probably will grow just fine in your location. (It is marginally hardy in Zone 6 & 7) Since I do not know exactly how big the space is it is hard for me to say positively it will work. If the area is big enough to work up the soil -- I think it will work. It is best if you baby the newly planted ivy for the first two or three years but once it gets started -- it will be fine.

Ivy in Full Sun

QUESTION
Is there a variety of ivy that is hardy enough to withstand full sun?

ANSWER
Yes, most green ivies and some variegated can live in full sun­depending on where you live. It may not be a good recommendation to use them for full sun in Arizona, Nevada or a few other desert-like locations but they are planted in full sun along the Las Vegas strip.

The trick is to plant them during the coolest season of the year and during the shortest days, protect them from full sun for the first few days and then acclimate them gradually by increasing the time in full sun gradually. Watering the first two or three years is critical but eventually they can become somewhat drought tolerant.After that, remember plants in the sun require more water ­and more water means more fertilizer. Applies to Southern Florida, some area's of California and Texas.

QUESTION
I would like to grow ivy on a south-facing stucco wall (about 50' long by 6' high). I live in Southern California (Zone 9/10). I really like the Hedera helix 'Gold Heart'. Can this ivy grow under these conditions? If not, can you suggest a similar looking ivy that would do better? Also, there is currently a driveway along the wall. I plan on breaking up squares of concrete so I can plant the ivy in the ground. Does it matter how big the square is? How many ivies do you suggest I plant to cover the 50' wall (the nursery sells them in 3" pots)? One more question--what time of year would be best to get them started?

ANSWER
'Gold Heart' is a beautiful and hardy ivy that will look terrific climbing but it is not readily self branching so could take a very long time to cover completely. It tends to send out one or two long runners at a time. If you are interested in hiding the wall -- ' Gold Heart' could take years to accomplish that kind of coverage. If you are interested in a beautiful climber that will be dark green with deep yellow centers and interesting growth patterns -- 'Gold Heart' is a great choice. In the winter, if the temperature dips low enough the stems will turn red and add that much more interest to your wall. How many plants? Rhat depends on how much coverage you want. Most ivies you could plant one plant every 2 feet and accomplish coverage in 3-4 years but I think it would take 'Gold Heart' much longer.

QUESTION
I just purchased a very young "golden heart" variegated ivy. Will this ivy do well in full afternoon sun? Will the yellow heart burn?

ANSWER
Depending on where you live, 'Gold Heart' should be fine in the full sun. However, if your plant is small, it may be best to grow it on in the pot an allow it to get somewhat larger before planting it in direct sun. Also, it is always good to acclimate newly purchased plants to sun as most often they have been growing in the greenhouse with at least 40% shade. The ivy can go into full sun but it should be done gradually over at least 3 to 4 weeks. This can be done by keeping it in the pot and moving it into the shade in the afternoon before it gets too hot. Gradually, leave it out longer and longer until it is ready for full sun. Another way to plant it out and cover it with newspaper or something other than plastic in the afternoon -- again-- covering it later and later until you no longer need to cover it. Also, keep newly planted ivies well watered as they need to establish roots. We suggest that you water regularly for at least a year. Do not keep them soggy but do not allow the soil to dry completely either.

Covering a Blank Wall

QUESTION
I want to cover a blank wall on my house in Washington, DC with a vine and I am considering the Golden Ingot cultivar. The wall is about 25 feet wide and 35 feet high and faces northeast. No sun in the winter/partial sun in the summer and no trees or other lightblockers nearby. I have several questions: how big of a spread can I expect the plant to achieve, will it eventually produce berries and seed, and what is the speed of growth?

ANSWER
Hedera helix cv. Golden Ingot is a great choice since the brilliant gold and dark green will certainly brighten up your northeastern wall. The conditions you have described sound perfect for ivy.

How much coverage you get the first year depends on many things - the size of the plants to start, how much water and how much fertilizer and the temperature and sun light. If you were to buy well established 6 or 8 inch pots of ivy that had runners 12-16 inches long - complete coverage might take two to three years depending on original spacing. Small newly rooted cuttings in a nursery flat will take considerably longer.

Give your newly planted ivies lots of TLC the first year or two and do not let newly planted ivy dry out completely - remember it is struggling to get roots started into the garden soil. Once the ivy has become established and starts sending out new shoots it will take off and cover the wall quickly.

Ivies do not produce fruit and flower until it changes into adult growth. Ivies sometimes change their characteristics from soft vining to a woody shrub with upright stiff stems. This is the growth that produces flowers and fruit. Generally, this does not happen for several years or until the ivy has reached the top of the structure it is climbing. Although we are not totally sure what triggers the change in characteristics, it generally does not happen for a long time.

Minitures for Zone 7/8

QUESTION

Is there ivy that would fit the following criteria?
One inch or less leaf, evergreen, Zone 7/8, Sun to Part Shade, spreads to at least eight feet, training, self-branching with short internodes.

ANSWER

Many of the ivies that The American Ivy Society classifies as miniature would fit your criteria. The only real difficulty is getting it to spread 8 feet. It will do that but it takes longer.

Almost all ivies are hardy to Zone 7/8 but they should be planted in early spring and protected somewhat the first few years. Once they are established they will be there forever.

Do not plant ivy in full sun in mid summer if your area is experiencing severe heat. Here’s some that fit your request:

Green Ivies:
Midget
Christian
Cascade
Spetchley
Troll
La Plata
Anita
Duck Foot
Variegated Green & White (gray)
Lady Frances
Misty
Mini-Ester
Jubilee
Seabreeze
Eva

QUESTION

Was wondering if you could help. I have a fairly new home in Eastern Tennessee located in the mountains. The soil is clay and rock and supports weed growth wonderfully, but looks terrible for planting. I have an area that was cut for the driveway on a ridge and would like to transform its bare look to green. It is a sunny area so I don’t know if ivy will like it. It is a large area. What type of ivy might I use (I like normal leaf ivy) and do you think it will grow well? How close should plants be placed and should good soil be brought in to establish plantings, or is this type of soil OK for new plants?

ANSWER

Soil conditions are always important when establishing a new planting. It would be helpful to get a soil analysis done before you start so that you can make adjustments. Contact your county extension office for advice on where to get that done. In general terms from your description of clay and rock it would be good to add some organic matter to the soil if possible. Try incorporating some “planting mix” into it prior to planting.

Although it is most often thought that ivy will only grow in shade we often see it growing in full sun around the country. There are some general tips on how to do this successfully. Plant larger pots of ivy such as 4” or 6” pots with well established roots not new plugs. Plant the ivy deep, an inch or two deeper than it was in the pot. Plant in early spring or fall, mulch heavily and keep it watered until securely established. This could take 2-3 years. It will take at least one year for ivy to root into the soil and begin to grow. Once you see the new plants begin to grow and send out plenty of new growth you can relax. Ivy growing in full sun will need more water in the summer and will require some fertilizer to keep it from fading yellow.

The best ivy for your location is a dark green ivy-ivy. As a general rule, the darker green the foliage the hardier the plant. There are some variegated ivies that would work in your location but it would be safest to use green. Check out all the different cultivars of ivy we have listed at: http://www.ivy.org/list.html