While English ivy can create a beautiful carpet of green, it can also wreak havoc on gardens and properties. The plant typically grows along the ground until it finds a surface to climb - triggering a surprisingly complex process. Once the ivy comes into contact with a climbing surface, its roots adapt to fit the structure. The roots then aim to spread out as much as possible to maximise their contact with the surface.
A sticky substance is released, and tiny hairs on the root latch onto minuscule holes on the surface. They only secure themselves firmly in the crevice once they dry out. To tackle this invasive plant, Ben McInnerney, a certified gardening expert and founder of GoTreeQuotes, has shared his top three methods. He insists that manual removal is always the best approach, which involves yanking the plant out. Ben explained: "This is one of the easiest and most effective methods for getting rid of English ivy. All you have to do is pull the ivy from the ground up and try to get as much of the root as possible.".
When removing the plant manually, it's crucial to remove as much of the plant, including stems and roots, as possible because it can regrow from leftover pieces. For the "best results", gardeners should aim to do this every time they spot new growth. The second approach to tackle the invasive English ivy, as advised by a garden guru, is trimming it back. Ben recommends using regular or gardening scissors to snip the ivy vines right at the base of the stem, revealing: "Pruning back your English ivy regularly can prevent it from growing further.".
