Why Does Ivy Climb?

Habit Of Growth

• Vine are plants with thin stems that grow upward by attaching themselves to a vertical surface in some way. They usually sprawl along the ground, sometimes branching in several directions, until they encounter a wall, tree or shoot. They then begin climbing upward, attaching themselves along the way. Some vines twine around a stem or use tendrils to attach themselves to twigs. Others, like ivy, cling to a surface using rootlets or, in the case of Virginia creeper, by adhesive discs. Most vines flower and set seed only after reaching up through the canopy of foliage to the sun, gaining energy for photosynthesis and exposure to pollinating insects or birds.

About English Ivy

• Native to Europe, western Asia and Africa, English ivy is hardy to USDA zone 7 and has become a pest in warmer areas of North America, covering acres with its glossy, evergreen foliage and sometimes covering trees with its vigorous growth. The commonly seen lobed leaf is only found on juvenile, non-fruiting branches, especially those creeping horizontally over the ground. Once the plant has grown vertically into a sunny spot, the plant produces fruiting, mature branches with oval, unlobed leaves and small yellow-green flowers in fall. These mature to purple-black berries containing one to three seeds. These are eaten by birds and pass through their digestive tract undamaged to sprout far away from the parent plant.

Pros And Cons Of Growing Ivy

• English ivy is an undeniably attractive vine and can make a good ground cover in areas where winter chill keeps it from spreading too vigorously. Smaller leafed forms tend to be less aggressive than the species and make a better cover for shady home gardens. Avoid ivy if you live adjacent to a natural area or cannot cut down any mature, fruiting growth that would set seed.

Eradicating Ivy

• One of the best ways to get rid of ivy is by digging it out by hand, especially with smaller infestations. This is less damaging to nearby plants than spraying with an herbicide, but larger areas may need chemical controls. Cut the base of any climbing vines to kill the top growth. You can also control ivy by covering it with several inches of mulch or a combination of cardboard and mulch.