Description: an evergreen woody vine
Peak Season: its most active growth period in the spring and summer, Bloom Period during Late Spring
Treatment: Weed killer with Glysophate.
There are five types of ivy: English and Irish ivy, the Virginia creeper, poison ivy, and ground ivy. Ivies have two leaf types, the lobed juvenile leaves and unlobed cordate adult leaves. The juvenile leaves can be seen on climbing stems and its shoots are slender and flexible, while adult leaves are on crowns of trees exposed to full sun, and is thicker and without roots.
When will I see Ivy?
Ivy has a long lifespan and can be seen throughout the year mostly in cool and moist areas in the Northern Hemisphere.
How do I get rid of Ivy and how long will it take?
Here are a few steps in getting rid of Ivy plants. Materials needed: (1) gloves, (2) secateurs, (3) saw, (4) scraper, (5) wire brush, (6) fork, and (7) weed killer. Due to the glossy nature of the weeds it is extremely resistant to weed killers. To speed up the death of the plant use weed killers those containing Glysophate. This requires repeated application.
- Step 1: Kill top growth of ivy plant. Cut stems as close to the base as possible.
- Step 2: Leave the weed killer longer for easy removal of the plant. To free plant roots use the secateurs, and carefully pull the aerial part.
For plants attached in walls, use scraper at a 30 degree angle to avoid damaging brick work, and scrape off roots. Use a wire brush to remove the remaining pieces from the wall.
- Step 3: Remove major roots. Dig as deep as possible to take away major roots.
To remove ivy plant from trees cut out stems, and leave dying ivy for a month so it becomes dehydrated. It will be easier to pull them off without damaging the tree.
This will take you for a minute to months depending on how wide and the area of the ivy plant has grown.
How do I prevent Ivy from infiltrating my lawn?
Ivy is an invasive plant. It needs hot sun and drainage but don?t sit it in water because it will rot out. Ivy plants will climb up to walls, gutter, plants and trees. Make sure to not let it get into any natural areas or at the foundation of your house. Dig up seedling as soon as they appear so that it won't grow into plants and trees. The key point is to take care of your yard.
