English ivy is native and may not be as invasive in UK gardens as it is in other countries, but it can still exhibit invasive behaviour under certain conditions.
In areas with mild temperatures and consistent moisture, the plant tends to be more invasive. The type of soil also plays a role, with nutrient-rich soils supporting rapid spread.
English ivy’s shade tolerance allows it to thrive in areas with limited sunlight, outcompeting other plants.
So how is the plant invasive? Well, it competes with garden plants for essential resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients, often resulting in the weakening or death of desirable garden plants.
Also when it climbs trees, its added weight and density can lead to weakened branches, making them more susceptible to diseases and structural damage.
What’s more, English ivy supports itself with aerial roots, and when these penetrate cracks or joints in structures, they may cause structural damage to your home.
Eager to get rid of ivy from their garden, Steve Cockrill took to the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook page to get some advice.
He asked: “What’s a good way to get rid of unwanted ivy?” The most common answer seemed to be to cut the ivy plant down and use a certain household item on the plant – bleach.
AJ Sargent instructed: “Cut it off at the base, cut slits in the base, pour neat bleach over the stump, then cover it with a bag and tape it up to protect wildlife from the bleach.
“The plant will take the bleach down to its roots and kill it completely.”
Jennifer Clark said: “Chop it at the base and remove as much as you can, then add bleach over it.”
Elaine White wrote: “I have killed very old invasive ivy that has crawled up next doors house and literally thought would be impossible to get rid of. A large bottle of bleach killed the lot within days. It works.”
Ethel Heslin replied: “The only way to kill the ivy for good is to cut it as close to the ground and pour bleach on the roots.
“It will burn it and the ivy will die. Don’t pull off the large branches of a wall, cut off at different parts and it will fade and die off in a few days.”
Bleach can be picked up in all local supermarkets. A bottle of bleach retails for 60p in Aldi.
When pouring the bleach on the ivy it’s important to not get the liquid on other plants as it will kill them instantly.
