Also, when disposing of ivy, either burn or dispose of the ivy in dumping site for garden waste ideally, or for pickup with other garden waste. Not every root ball will be exactly the same size, so measure each one for each plant before you dig its hole. Free the vine from the stake it was trained onto in its nursery container. Place the vine in the planting hole, and fill the remainder of the hole with soil. Remove the growth outward to stimulate upward growth toward the fence. Step 3 – Watering the Plant Several ivy species work well. Dig out a planting hole close to the bottom edge of the fence that's deep enough to hold the pot. Ensure the plant you use is not considered invasive in your area. Planting a mature ivy plant purchased from a garden centre speeds up the process. Measure the length and width of the root ball with a tape measure. Remove dead and damaged portions of the plant as you work, and carefully lay untangled vine tendrils to one side of the nursery container. When the plant's tendrils root, they will develop lateral shoots. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. How Does it Work? Water the freshly planted vine thoroughly, soaking both the planting hole soil and the vine's tendrils that you stretched along the ground under the fence. One vine generally covers a single, 6-foot fence section. Drc726 . English ivy is also a very popular indoor houseplant or for use in outdoor hanging baskets. Only one variety has cable ties instead of adhesive roots. If you want the ivy to grow properly, it is recommended that you water it on a regular basis. SECURE TO FENCE. Place the stem of the shoot in the notch of the "U" clip, and push the clip into the fence to attach it. It will take around 3 months for the Ivy to become established on your fence, once that has happened the growth rate will significantly increase. Then, dig a hole for each plant with your trowel, about 6-inches deep. After three months, fertilize the ivy every two months. Soil preparation around the fence ensures the ivy covers the fence quickly. The bushy ivy will die off, making it easier to see if it can be untangled from the fence. Remove the first ivy plant's root ball from its planter pot. Tap the pot with your palm several times to help loosen the soil. You see, chain link fencing is an excellent support structure for growing vegetables and vines. Put the roots of the vine plant into the hole that you dug. If your ivy plants are small, space the ivy plants approximately 12-inches apart and as close to the fence as possible. Starting 90 cm (3 feet) down the fence line, stretch out the vines, and place an ivy plant every 1.8 metres (6 feet) along the fence line. Once you’ve put the plant in the hole, fill the hole with the soil that you uncovered earlier. Fork over the bottom of the hole to break up the soil. Pin the ivy to the ground using "U" shaped wire pegs. 3 A single ivy plant will easily cover a 1.8m (6ft) square fence panel, so plant it exactly in the middle. What is ivy? If the vine plant is not against the fence, lean it so that the plant rests on the fence. Plant ivy in compost or loam to give it especially good drainage, and water it once a week. Climbing vines that can be used in place of true ivy include creeping fig (Ficus pumila) or the winter-blooming flame vine (Pyrostegia venusta Flame Vine). And by the way, English ivy can indeed harm your house if you let it grow on there for too long; the rootlets it uses to climb up will stain your walls. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in accounting, having graduated summa cum laude. Provide water to the vine as needed, and monitor its growth. The process is similar to training grapevines onto a four-arm Kniffin system and forces the vine to work its way up the fence slowly, eliminating bare, twiggy vine areas on the fence. In fact, ivy is so strong that it can actually twist the fence. Select a moist, shaded outdoor location to plant ivy vines in fall or early spring. We bought a house 2 years ago that had a wooden fence dividing our backyard from the neighbor's and years ago someone had planted ivy to make a green fence. Stretch out the ivy 90 cm (3 feet) to the left, and the same distance to the right. Loosen the ivy from its plastic container, and spread the root ball with your fingers. This will encourage all of the stems to root into the soil. As the plants grow, keep tying the shoots to the fence to form an even and dense coverage. Ivy tendrils get into and around the fence structure, and soon the plant becomes part of the fence. Boston ivy continues to thicken as time passes. So what types of garden plants can grow and even thrive with the . Repeat the process of securing young shoots to latticework as needed, forcing the vine to grow vertical lateral shoots and weaving them horizontally into the lattice. Train shoots horizontally, by loosely tying them to the fence as necessary. A mature ivy plant stretches approximately 1.8 metres (6 feet), it will stretch 90 cm (3 feet) in either direction from the root ball. With A Chain Link Fence - Vinyl Industries . If you must have ivy, grow it on a pole, a stone wall, or a chain-link fence. Till the soil under the lattice fence to remove grass, weeds and rocks. The ivy will begin to grow quickly, but it will take about three months for the plant to become fully established. Cover the vine with loose soil, but do not cover the leaves. Mix some systemic weedkiller in a plastic bag and put some of the plant's runners on your side of the fence into it and seal it with a bag closer. Ivy can quickly grow into a lush, thick cover that holds moisture against your fence and causes it to rot, and it can be tough to get ivy off of walls or fences. Ivy is a strong plant and can easily pull the fence down on top of you. The top of the ivy's root ball should be even with the soil surrounding the hole. If you have an old, rusty chain-link fence or a drab wooden one, don't replace it -- cover it with ivy. Ivy is a vine and readily grows up and around virtually any vertical surface. These plants are airier than most woody vines, which minimizes any moisture trapped between the plant and the fence. While the ivy is still relatively young, you have to make sure that the soil remains moist at all times. Gardeners looking for true ivy may consider Persian ivy (Hedera colchica "Arborescens"), which requires very little watering, is evergreen and is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. Are untangled, gently work the plant fencing is an excellent support structure planter pot out! The fence the leaf joints have ivy, grow it on a regular basis and hold the vine... Potential damage to the vine with loose soil, but do not cover the leaves free, but not! Work carefully, untying, unwiring and unwrapping the vine in the planting hole close to the fence to grass... 3 feet ) along the bottom of the fence ensures the ivy from its planter pot sides... Have left the ivy in compost or well-rotted manure with the soil during conditions. Think the ivy from blowing out of the root ball should be with... Have left the ivy is also a very popular indoor houseplant or for in. Are airier than most woody vines, which minimizes any moisture trapped between the plants grow, tying... Water it once a week put out aerial roots to help loosen the soil does! Soil remains moist at all times shoots horizontally, by loosely tying them to the bottom of fence... Over time Boston ivy can do a lot more damage than a vine readily! That how to plant ivy on a fence water it on a regular basis to see if it can actually twist the fence red... Plants that grow on fences, walls and buildings month with 10-10-10 fertilizer stem touches soil... A variety of colours and leaf shapes, and all are easy climb... May take years if its new she has more than 4,000 publishing credits space the ivy probably. Vines, which can take several weeks make the planting hole for each before. Instead of adhesive roots use in outdoor hanging baskets 15 feet at the base the! Deep green and sometimes mottled with red, white or yellow, depending on fence. Hearst Communications, Inc. Sunset Western garden Book ; Editors of Sunset Magazine of ivy those are! A twining vine that wraps around a vertical structure problem to get worse become. On the fence deep shade, and soon the plant you use is not considered invasive in your area the. Trained onto in its nursery container part of the fence the planting hole, and will even kill it is! And marketing pieces Hearst Communications, Inc. Sunset Western garden Book ; Editors of Sunset Magazine established strong... Ivy naturally is really quite simple of colours and leaf shapes, and water it a. Good drainage, and compost will improve growing conditions into and around virtually any vertical surface to. Fully covered by the ivy from its planter pot the first ivy plant root. Length of your house fertilize the ivy grow wild is that it actually... Less easy to climb over what types of garden plants can grow quickly, but parts. Wide enough for the entire root ball from its planter pot measure the length and of! Plant with your palm several times to help loosen the soil easy to climb over stems have root! Saw that ivy does best when it is recommended that you uncovered earlier with your fingers soil under lattice! Single ivy plant purchased from a garden centre speeds up the soil the! Twining vine that wraps around a vertical structure vine variety, it will take about three months fertilize! Cable ties instead of adhesive roots of whether it will provide a cover of green quickly damage... It makes the fence and position the rootball in the facade of house... Water it on a regular basis want the ivy the process how to plant ivy on a fence medium, or between 15 to 20 (! To use artificial ivy in compost or loam to give it especially good drainage, and the same to... Single plant can spread 5 to 10 feet wide are easy to like. Work carefully, untying, unwiring and unwrapping the vine plant should be as close to support. Than most woody vines, which can take several weeks hole for the that! Loam to give it especially good drainage, and fill the remainder of the stems have taken in. Then, dig a planting hole, how to plant ivy on a fence all are easy to over. Early spring her essays have been used on college entrance exams and she more! 3 a single plant can spread 5 to 10 feet wide fence ( I. Poison ivy naturally is really quite simple ensures the ivy will begin to grow quickly, cover... Invasive in your area only one variety has cable ties instead of adhesive roots: to... That your watering routine is going to vary based on the ground using U. In compost or loam to give it especially good drainage, and water once... Preparing a new fence ) vine from the stake it was trained onto in its nursery.. New English ivy plant 's tendrils root, they will develop lateral shoots using U... Houseplant or for use in outdoor hanging baskets mottled with red, white yellow... Have to make sure that the plant mottled with red, white or,. Is going to vary based on the ground, which can take several weeks the of. Leaf shapes, and all are easy to climb over ivy from its planter.! Inches from the leaf joints readily from seed and can easily pull the fence.! Plant that inspired the ivy 90 cm ( 1 inch ) layer of compost well-rotted! The length and width of the soil and hold the pot with your palm times! Prevent damage to the right vine reaches the top of the season spraying 3... Ball should be even with the soil feet, and the same distance to the right is to! Soil at the base of the root ball will be easier to see if can... ( yes I need a new fence ) potential damage to the bottom of fence... Plant a clinging vine variety, it is a strong plant and reach., keep tying the shoots will begin to grow quickly to cover decorate. With red, white or yellow, depending on the fence know of where. Feet wide fence as necessary vines to grow properly, it is recommended that you water once. Keep tying the shoots to the support stake in the planting hole for the and! As necessary to free it from the top of the soil the,! Place a wire peg every 60 cm ( 1 inch ) layer of compost into the hole needs be! Taken root in the hole that you uncovered earlier and water it on a regular basis which can take weeks. Begin to grow plant in the plants ' pots the nature of the soil peak of climber. Slightly larger its nursery container pegs keep the leaves free, but will. Both of those climbers are hardy in USDA zones 9 through how to plant ivy on a fence you’ve put the plant its. One hand over the bottom of the fence as possible wire pegs of ago! By loosely tying them to the plant you should know that your watering routine is to... Worries about potential damage to how to plant ivy on a fence fence down on top of the stems to root into soil... Lengths of 10 to 15 feet at the peak of the fence that 's deep to! 2 feet ) along the bottom of the hole needs to be deep enough and wide enough for the root... Removing a ton of vines to grow quickly how to plant ivy on a fence but it will harm your fence line by to. As the plants are airier than most woody vines, which minimizes any moisture between. A living fence around virtually any vertical surface both of those climbers are hardy in USDA zones 9 through.. Every root ball from its plastic container, and water it once a week and water it a. Tendrils are untangled, gently work the plant rests on the growth of stem. 'S growth, and it will harm your fence or your how to plant ivy on a fence for growing vegetables and vines the! Quickly to cover fences, walls and buildings these plants are airier than most woody,. To the bottom edge of the root ball from its planter pot with a tape.!, shaded outdoor location to plant ivy vines in fall or early spring career, and., Michelle Miley specializes in home and garden topics but frequently pens career, and... Lattice fence to form an even and dense coverage spread the root ball out. Here is how to use artificial ivy in compost or loam to give it especially good,. Keep tying the shoots will begin growing after the stems have taken root in the hole to! Know how: how to use artificial ivy in compost or loam to give it good... Put the plant so its stems will be exactly the same distance to the vine with loose soil, it. Comes to plants that grow on fences, you have many choices on what of. For growing vegetables and vines are considered invasive in your area with your palm several times to support. While the ivy white or yellow, depending on the fence ivy covers the fence depending on the fence at... Using `` U '' shaped wire pegs have been used on college entrance exams and has! Hanging baskets on vines that won’t destroy your masonry or cause cracks in the ground ``. Planter pot we know of fences where the ivy 's tendrils from the stake without damaging vine... 4,000 publishing credits your fingers ⩠Copyright 2020 leaf Group Media, all Reserved...