English ivy.....what do i do with it?

16 years ago

I bought some english ivy today at a plant sale.....is this meant for outside or inside? My father always had a ivy plant growing in a kitchen window, so that is what i had bought it for, ( to re-pot and hang in kitchen window) however, i noitced that the leaves are much bigger than my dads........leading me to believe this is NOT the same type of plant my dad has.

is english ivy meant for outdoors? What do you do with it? Does it come back every year? - what does it need for space outside if i have to put it out?? I have a small flower bed along a fence that is about 30" deep and 6' long......only afternnon sun would that be a an OK spot for it?

Sorry to be a dufas, but i really am clueless.

thanks for any help.

Comments (2)

justaguy2
16 years ago
Trash it. Burn it. English Ivy is an invasive plant that quite literally will scale multistory buildings pulling off siding and deteriorating brick. Once it gets started it's darn near impossible to kill.

Get a head start by killing it before it is planted in the ground. Go to whomever you bought it from and punch them.
milwdave
16 years ago
If it is the old fashioned English Ivy, I would agree with justaguy...leave it in a pot or trash it...but don't risk it outdoors. It can be very destructive. However, I have been experimenting with the more refined cultivars found in the houseplant sections of Home Depot or Loewe's and they seem to be much more sedate. I stil keep my eye on them though, and I'll yank'm in a minute if they start acting "Imperial"...hehehe.

Speaking of houseplants...has anyone else tried, or even remembers, the old houseplant called "Strawberry Begonia" (Saxifraga tomentosa I think)? I found one in HD about 3 years ago and planted it out and it has been with me ever since. Not much of a flower but the leaves and growth habit are cool! And, YES, it's 'playing nicely' with the others in my garden.

Cheers all

Dave
Franklin
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