“Good. Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you.” - The Emperor, Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi
Several years back I had a great idea, “Let’s plant some ivy where those nasty old shrubs used to be.” I should have known better. I knew, even before I put the first of the 48 plugs into the ground, how invasive English Ivy is. Yet I planted it right next to the house in an area about 6 feet by 12 feet anyway. What can I say; I’m an idiot. I figured I had several years, before they became a problem. Nope. It took about 5 months to fill in and that living, green mass has been a pain ever since.
With the exterior of the house redone last fall, it had become a serious concern. So thanks to the squishing and crushing of the guys walking all over it for four weeks straight, a large chunk of the ivy had died back (temporarily). We decided this morning that it was time to start yanking it out. It took all three of us several hours, but by-golly that area is cleared out, dug out – to ferret out the (quite impressive) root system – and raked over.
Now I just have to figure out what to put in there instead.
We have Ivy issues. I fear if we leave town for too long it will consume the house
When I was growing up overseas, all of the old building were covered from top to bottom with ivy, I always thought it was so beautiful.
What a way to spend the day, digging up outside ivy. I hope a delicious lunch ensued directly after, LOL.
Put in mint! No, just kidding! Don’t do that. Only an idiot would do that, yeah, only a raving lunatic would plant uncontained mint, lemon balm, and ivy in her yard.
Mom #1: I too fell in love with Ivy overseas, which is why I was foolish enough to plant it here – “just for a little while”.
Sandra: uncontained mint – check, lemon balm – check, ivy – no more!
You could replant a couple of ivies, add a couple of mints,some periwinkle, maybe some pachysandra and throw in some Lily of the Valley for good measure, then sit back and watch them duke it out in a giant Batlle of the Groundcovers.
We have invading ivy outside our apartment door, but thankfully the landlord has to take care of it!
How about some nice shrubs?
Ivy is a monster, isn’t it? Love the pics of it climbing up those English mansions, but in reality…not so much.