English Ivy Growing Conditions
English ivy can expand to cover a wide area, given the proper growing conditions. It is easy to grow, even for inexperienced gardeners, and being a perennial plant, will last for years, even decades, once it is established and good growing conditions continue. Like many other ivies, English ivy can grow onto buildings and other architectural features, attaching to them with tendrils, making for an effective way of covering unattractive building walls or other structures. Does this Spark an idea?
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Sun Requirements
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The plant requires full sun to partial shade to grow best. It does best if the root area receives some shade, although the growing vines will flourish in full sunlight. English ivy can grow in more fully shaded areas, but it will grow rather slowly.
Soil Conditions
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Like many perennials, the vine requires well drained--that is, not boggy or constantly damp soil--to grow best. A heavy clay soil will hinder the growth of English ivy, as will a soil that is too sandy and poor in nutrients.
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Moisture Needs
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Regular moisture, in the form of either rainfall or irrigation, is essential for English ivy to thrive. In temperate areas, once ivy is established, rainfall should be sufficient to maintain needed moisture. If faced with a prolonged drought, or in very dry regions, water ivy weekly or set up an automatic irrigation system.
Temperature
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English ivy can survive in areas where the winter temperature goes as low as -29 degrees Celsius, which corresponds to USDA hardiness zone 5. For colder areas, English ivy may survive through a mild winter, but it is not recommended.
Maintenance
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Periodically trim back English ivy, since it can become invasive after many growing seasons. Avoid allowing it to grow on any type of equipment, or on wooden structures, as it will cause moisture to gather under it, leading to rot. Fertilizing is not normally necessary; however, feed plants when first planted, once a week for two months, with a standard flower and outdoor plant fertilizer, to ensure healthy roots.
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References
- Photo Credit Ivy image by Tomasz Pawlowski from Fotolia.com
