I'm in NJ and I just had a landscaper do a clean up / replanting on my property. He recomended and planted English Ivy on a bare shady area with a steep hill where there is nothing but dirt/ weeds.

I can't find much info on watering the new plants. I know they need water but too much is worse than too little for Ivy.

Can anybody advise on watering? I was thinking using a soaker hose and doing once or twice a week.

TIA

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JoeM

You'd want to water more frequently until they're established - once a week?

once ivy is established, it shouldn't need watering unless you're going through a dry spell.

i definitely agree with the soaker hose idea.

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Thanks!

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JoeM

Arghhhh! Around here, English ivy is the enemy! Rather than worrying about it surviving, be more concerned about how you'll keep it under control.

[www.nps.gov]

Quote
AlphaDog
Arghhhh! Around here, English ivy is the enemy! Rather than worrying about it surviving, be more concerned about how you'll keep it under control.

[www.nps.gov]

I've just read a lot of horror stories around the country about it overrunning everything and jumping large distances but it's used a lot where I am and many homes seem to have it growing without problems. I haven't had any luck with any other ground cover in that area but I'm going to keep an eye on it.

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JoeM

It is possible to keep it contained, but, unfortunately, too many people around here haven't been concerned until the damage was done. The next door neighbor has a big tree (I mean one 80 or 90 feet tall) that is rapidly dying because of the ivy. I'm just glad I don't live in the house to the north of her, because one of these winters that tree is going to go down. The people who do live there already had one of her trees through their tile roof, and I'm kind of surprised they haven't tried to force her to get the second one removed before they get it in their kitchen.

It makes me sick to my stomach to see what's happening to some of these beautifully wooded pieces of property where the ivy is engulfing every tree. Every time I go out in my yard, I pull up little starts, because it roots so easily. A couple of years ago some group tried to get it declared a noxious weed, but the bill didn't pass.

Just keep those clippers sharp!

AlphaDog, where do you live?

We have some growing in our yard here in Brooklyn. It stays exactly where its planted and yields nicely to other plants.

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I am concerned about it overwhelming my tree there and I have seen that happen but as mattkime mentions, I see it well controlled around my area her in NJ. Still I will call the landscaper.

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JoeM

Here in Washington state, English Ivy is considered a noxious weed - the ONLY place it should be planted is in a contained area where it cannot spread.

I'm in the Puget Sound area of the PacNW. That stuff is insidious here, but I suppose we might have more open land and/or bigger lots and more trees than Brooklyn? I've never been to Brooklyn, but "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" keeps going through my head. To me, that always sounded like somebody was trying to prove that a tree CAN grow in Brooklyn. What's the real story?!

There are also some problems with it here when it's been used as a ground cover along other shrubs. If you don't keep trimming the ivy regularly, it takes over everything in its path.

Maybe ivy likes the growing conditions here better? It can often be foggy and damp - kind of like what I've been led to believe are conditions in merry old England, and it is English ivy!

I'm with AlphaD on this one - ivy is considered a noxious plant in most places I have seen. As well as wisteria, kudzu, etc. It can really get out of control and destroy siding, trees, and other things more valuable than the ivy. I kill it if it comes to my place...