I'm dealing with this invasive English ivy that's taken over my hedge, and I can't stand the smell of its flowers—they're kind of gross and remind me of something unpleasant. The ivy is mixed in with a once-healthy evergreen hedge, but it's taken over to the point where it's hard to deal with. I can't just remove it because that would leave my neighbor's side looking sparse, which I don't want. I'm looking for a plant that could climb alongside the ivy, outcompete it, and eventually take its place without harming the evergreen hedge or spreading uncontrollably. I want something that would thrive in the shady conditions on my side! Any suggestions would be appreciated.
4 Answers
I can't help much either, but I couldn’t stop laughing at your title! It just made me think of this funny video I saw about plants! [link]
I think climbing hydrangea could be a good bet for you! It does well in shady spots, so if you plant it on your side and take care of it, you might outlast the ivy. Just be prepared to manage the ivy since your neighbor's side might keep it coming back. It’s slower growing, but with some persistence, you might make it work!
I get that! Hydrangeas aren't known for their scent, so they might not help with that issue you have. But hey, at the very least they'll look nice!
Ivy can be super invasive, that’s for sure. Another option could be Russian vine, which is also aggressive but doesn’t have the unpleasant smell. Just keep an eye on it because it's quick to spread!
I totally get that! I had no idea it was the ivy before I pinpointed the smell. You just hope it's not something worse in your yard, right?
Honestly, ivy is tough to beat because it’s such a vigorous grower. You might have better luck with something like clematis, which can grow up alongside it. Just know that ivy has a strong hold, but at least the clematis will give you some nice flowers! You could also consider just trimming the ivy down like a hedge to manage it better. Another option is using climbing hydrangea, which can grow in shade and might outperform the ivy if you feed it well and keep the ivy in check on your side.
I actually have a clematis growing with my ivy too! It's still trying to keep up, but at least the flowers are a nice bonus! Plus, trimming can really help control things.
Yeah, I think a trellis could work well for that! I like the idea of hiding the ivy behind something like climbing hydrangea instead of removing it completely. A variegated ivy type could lighten the space too!
I actually rescued a small climbing hydrangea! I'm thinking of getting a few more for my hedge. I just hope they won't harm the pollinators since their flowers are usually sterile.