Ivy is beautiful but can wreak havoc on walls and fences, even infiltrating cracks or joints in buildings, causing structural damage.
If the plant becomes a nuisance to a property, it's advised to eradicate it due to its aggressive and fast-growing nature. The plant is easily identifiable with its three to five-lobed glossy leaves that cling to walls, trees and buildings.
When the stems are yanked from their support, such as a wall, they often leave behind unsightly roots, says the Royal Horticultural Society. Gena Lorraine, a gardener at Fantastic Services, shared her advice: "The best way to remove ivy from a wall is to cut through the stem with a sharp saw and then dig out the root.
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"After the foliage has died, you can carefully remove the stuck-on stems with a wire brush. If it covers the ground, dig it up with a mattock or fork and dispose of it elsewhere. Alternatively, if the ground does not need to be planted, remove all the top growth, cover it with weed-control fabric, and add some back mulch 10cm to 15cm deep."
Ivy can also be kept in check by spraying it with a weed killer containing glyphosate, reports the Express. However, Brits should exercise caution when using this because it is extremely potent and will "kill anything it touches", warns Gena. The expert advised: "It will kill anything it touches. Spray lightly so the weedkiller does not drop off the leaves, or, even better, crush and damage the leaves before spraying so they can absorb more weedkiller."
Eradicating the plant is a challenging process that may require multiple applications. When using weed killer, exercise caution to prevent pets from coming into contact with it, or consider using a more natural alternative.
The gardener suggested: "Pour 80 per cent water and 20 percent vinegar into a container. Ensure that you don't harm any other plants while spraying the ivy plants. Observe the results after two days. Remove any dead ivy and reapply the same solution if needed."
White vinegar is an effective herbicide due to its acetic acid content, which targets the plant at its root. This solution can also be used to eliminate weeds permanently. Before handling the invasive plant, it is crucial to wear gloves and protective clothing to avoid irritation. If you want to keep ivy in your garden, consider growing it in a pot and training it on a wire frame.
