Hey guys. I have a random question we were debating at work today (I work in natural resources).
Which do you think would dominate an area provided the growing conditions were met for both: Kudzu or English Ivy?
I live in Georgia, so imagine a Southern climate.
:) Thanks!
Kudzu or Ivy?
Kudzu. You can SEE that stuff grow. A few years ago a bank (I think, maybe a cell phone company) had billboards advertising the fact that the only thing that covered more of Georgia than it did was kudzu.
I'd vote for kudzu too. Ivy can be obnoxious, but it's not that bad.
Noxious weed death match! I grew up in North Carolina, and I'd say definitely Kudzu. I think that if you parked yourself in a lawn chair close enough to Kudzu, you'd find yourself being climbed over.
Lol.
I thought kudzu too, but a few folks were saying ivy cause it doesn't go dormant in the winter... though I think after one full kudzu season, it'd be so densely covered up it wouldn't have a chance!
Kudzu is a real nightmare........
http://www.jjanthony.com/kudzu/houses.html
"eyes"
I agree - the kudzu will cover the ivy!
Brenda
Thanks for sharing those photos with the kudzu. Never have seen any that bad!!
Karin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you didn't use kudzu, that stuff is a pain and will take over your ENTIRE property within a year! It's hard to kill, there is truth to the old saying, "Kudzu grows a foot a day".
Kudzu would choke out the ivy before winter dormancy.That stuff is starting to creep into Missouri so either the global warming thing is real or the kudzu is getting more hardy.
I have it on a arbor and it's not to bad.
In Japan, whole villages go out and dig up the roots, which grow to the size of a man. Ever buy Kuzu starch? Last time I visited the health food store it's $8 for 1 tablespoonful!
The stems are used as a herb tea to treat colds and flu.
At least someone's making $$ from it. Here's a book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0895292874
My goodness, it looks like something from a B list horror movie 'Killer Kudzu'. That stuff looks like it could swallow and entire village overnight...literally. it just engulfs everything. I think I may have some of this growing in the tree like in my back yard. Is there any way to beat it down or kill it off?
This Spring, it seems as if it has crept out of the depths of the trees to the edge. I would like to be able to 'nip it in the bud' before it becomes the monster in those pics!
If we get even a small sprig of it on our property, we bring out the Roundup ASAP! Don't turn your back on that stuff--it will jump on you faster than a falling meteorite! Deer will eat it but they can't eat that fast!
Cowpea, just found this thread and I'm kinda worried about you with the kudzu growing on an arbor. It is some scary stuff, don't let it get loose. Laverne
I live in a small yard, completely cut off from spreading invasives. (also its in Reno where it gets pretty cold.) I wanted to get some Kudzu for an arbor, would anyone know where I could get some?
They've even tried burning kudzu out, weed killers, petroleum..you name it...the stuff don't never die.
"eyes"