How to Hide a Fence With Trailing Ivy

Secure your fence at its weak points and replace broken boards, loose bricks or bent wire to give the ivy a stable support as it grows. Mending your fence first will help keep your ivy plants secure as they sprawl out and cling to their support, allowing the plants to focus their energy on vegetative growth rather than anchoring themselves in place. If the fence is in such disarray that you merely intend to hide an unsightly mess, look the boards over to remove or nail down any exposed nails to prevent puncture wounds.

Plant ivy between 6 and 12 inches away from the base of the fence you intend to hide, depending on the species. The Clemson Cooperative Extension notes that common English ivy (Hedera helix) is known for its ability to climb vertically up to 50 feet, and Persian Ivy (Hedera colchica) is cold hardy and features the largest leaves of all ivies. These are just a couple examples of ivy plants that are ideal for hiding an ugly fence. Different species of ornamental trailing ivy will have varying growing requirements, such as how much sun, water or fertilizer the species needs to thrive, so keep these requirements in mind when selecting plants to hide your fence.

Weave your ivy through the existing nooks, crannies and holes in your fence to help it hide your fence as it grows. There are several items that can help train your ivy, such as stakes, which are good for guiding young seedlings toward the fence, and lattices or trellises, which can be attached to the fence to serve as a support for your ivy vines. You can also use gardening wire to secure ivy growth directly to the fence you want to hide.

Care for your ivy plants through the year by providing water and fertilizer according to the specific needs of the ivy species you planted. Guide new ivy through existing growth to fill in bare patches or onto a bare bit of fence to start covering a different area. Remove unsightly twigs, branches and leaves as they die on the vine using garden shears, or gently pull them away from the ivy vine, so long as it doesn't damage any live part of the plant.