UK households across the UK who have ivy in their gardens have been issued a warning.
While English ivy is a visually stunning addition to any garden, it can wreak havoc on outdoor areas and properties if left unchecked.
Initially, ivy grows on the ground until it encounters a suitable surface to climb, triggering a remarkably intricate process.
Upon contact with the surface, it intends to climb and the plant’s roots transform, adapting to fit the surface. The roots then strive to expand outward, maximising their contact with the surface.
Ivy particularly loves climbing up trees, and although this is a great benefit to woodland wildlife, it can become problematic in our gardens.
And now those with ivy in their gardens are being warned that the fast-growing, vigorous plant can quickly smother smaller plants/trees and colonise areas of bare soil.
Writing in House and Garden, Hazel Sillver, a garden expert, said: “In UK gardens, don’t let ivy run into smaller trees, such as apples, as it will eventually dominate them.
“In the US, gardeners are advised not to grow Hedera helix or H. hibernica in case they spread into woodland, and they are classified as invasive in several states.
“Ivy is self-clinging and vigorous, so it is a headache-free way to clad a building with greenery at speed.”
Ivy is not a parasite. It does not actually live off of the tree’s resources but merely uses the tree as a support. This means that it does not restrict the tree’s growth and will not constrict the trunk or branches. In fact, ivy provides habitat and feeding for a variety of birds.
Hazel also advises Brits to check on their ivy through regular pruning to prevent the plant from growing into cracks in stone and brickwork, guttering, and roof tiles.
She said: “Pruning should be done in spring unless birds are nesting in it, in which case wait until the end of summer; if you want to remove stems attached to buildings or trees, it’s best to cut them and then wait for those sections to die before pulling them off, as this requires less arm muscle and causes less damage and marking to stone, brick, and bark.”
