question about perrinial ivy

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gardenmom43 Hudsonville, MI Aug 15, 2009

I have ivy in a part of my garden that has no other perrinials. If I would let this grow into my perrinial garden (like as a ground cover) would it choke out my perrinials?

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Aug 15, 2009

Depends on how big and vigorous your perennials are! LOL I don't know how aggressive ivy is in your climate--here I would definitely not let it in a bed where I was trying to grow other things (or put it in my garden at all for that matter) but maybe it's a bit tamer in Michigan. Even if it spreads slower for you though I think it's going to tend to choke out at least the smaller plants so I'd probably keep it out of the perennial bed.

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gardenmom43 Hudsonville, MI Aug 15, 2009

It has spread slowly, but I think I agree with you about the smaller perrinials. Thanks for your input.

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JasperDale Long Beach, CA(Zone 10a) Aug 15, 2009

gardenmom: What type of ivy are you talking about ?

I have the small leaf, variegated English Ivy in several areas as a ground cover planted with perennials and it isn't a problem at all. It's evergreen here and does require trimming about twice a year, but it hasn't choked out anything. It stays about 4" tall and looks nice year round.

Don't know how invasive it would be in your climate, as I assume it would freeze back in your winters and not get to be too much of a problem.

I have it growing around daylilies, roses, numerous types of bulbs, phlox paniculata, hydrangeas, ferns, asclepias, azaleas, some true geraniums and other plants. It grows in sun and in shade here.

The "tougher" woody based perennials seem to do fine emerging from it in the spring and I like the way assorted annual seedlings manage to appear from time to time, but I wouldn't use any of the other ivy's. They get too thick and out of control.

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