Question
Hi Marc.  I live on the east coast in zone 6B.  I have a natural rock wall in my back yard and at its base is a perennial/woodland garden with plants like hosta, astilbe, coral bells, daisies, echinacea, vinca, etc., as well as shrubs and trees.  I planted English Ivy at the top of the wall and anywhere that had enough soil to support plant life on the wall.  The soil in that area is clay, and gets about 2-3 hours of direct sun and mostly bright shade.

I am concerned that the ivy will become invasive and choke out everything I have planted in the surrounding flower beds.  Prior to my planting the ivy there were a lot of weeds and some rather stubborn poison ivy thriving where the ivy is now.  Should I pull out the ivy and plant something less aggressive?  If so, what should I replace it with?

Thank you for your help.

Laura

Answer
Your concern is well founded, as ivy is a pernicious plant known for "taking over", in the right conditions.

We plant it here in the western desert *hoping* it will take hold, but the rest of the US curses the day they introduced it into their gardens!  

If your goal is to choke out the weeds & poison ivy, then maybe this is the right plant...if, however, you want to garden in and among ivy, it may be a poor choice.  Once established, it will trail up the wall and soften an otherwise harsh garden element.

You said you put it at the top, so you'll have some time before it trails down and takes root below (and it will, if left unchecked!)  You can always trim it back before that day.

All this to say, it may not have been a bad idea, but it may take some "managing" to make sure it doesn't take over.  It all depends on how frequently you are in managing your rock garden - and it sounds like you are pretty involved!

A substitute (also known to be invasive) is Virginia creeper, though it probably won't choke out the weeds as well as the ivy.

My sympathies for the poison ivy, as it are about as aggressive as the English ivy!

~M