Ivy pruning

Discussion in 'NEW Gardeners !' started by xantia, Feb 14, 2018.

  1. xantia

    xantia Apprentice Gardener

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    hi all,
    I have this area in my very small side garden with a lot of ivy. I’d like to trim it back and make the area at the base (on top of the wall) into a small bed. There’s lots of roots and shoots in here which look like they make take some shifting! Can I just take some electric trimmers and cut it like a hedge to take it back closer to the fence? I can see it from my sofa as u can see so that’s why I want to make it a bit more interesting. It doesn’t get much light except in the summer. Thank you from a complete novice
     

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    • WeeTam

      WeeTam Total Gardener

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      If it was me I would use secateurs on it rather than the electric option. Cut off the long bits then pull off the rest. It may put up a fight but will come off. Small bits may resist you but will come off. The exposed fence underneath may now be a shade darker than the rest of the fence.

      You could plant something a bit more intesting in your planter that could climb up the fence . Maybe attach some wire to the rest of the fence that would allow you to grow more ...
       
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      • xantia

        xantia Apprentice Gardener

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        Thanks. I want to keep the ivy on the fence as it provides privacy. I just want to take it back a little to create some room for the bed. I’m thinking about having the walls rendered to brighten them up a bit! Yes the planters are a left over from last year when I moved in! Not interesting at all! Thank you.
         
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        • WeeTam

          WeeTam Total Gardener

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          No worries. Then id use the secateurs to lightly trim it back, :blue thumb:
           
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          • xantia

            xantia Apprentice Gardener

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            Thank you. Trying not to kill anything lol
             
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            • Gail_68

              Gail_68 Guest

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              Hi @xantia,
              We've got that on one of our conifers up the back from the root going up the stem besides stemming over the fence, a few times a year it's clipped and shaped back and it still keeps to the shape nice :)
               
            • Gail_68

              Gail_68 Guest

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              I agree @WeeTam as that's what we use for ours :)
               
            • xantia

              xantia Apprentice Gardener

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              Great advice as always. What do you think would grow well there once I get it sorted? I read maybe ferns as it doesn’t get much sun? But I also want something to grow over the edge and fall down. Plus I’d like some colour too?
               
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              • martin-f

                martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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                A jet wash should bring them up like new, then get some masonry paint if you want them a different colour, rendering can be quite expensive unless you can DIY and you gain very little on a garden wall.
                 
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                • Gail_68

                  Gail_68 Guest

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                  You could always try these @xantia as the blue is striking :)

                  SDC13171.JPG
                   
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                  • Gail_68

                    Gail_68 Guest

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                    My hubby as just brought a new jet wash @martin-f plus the acid for the slabs...that's when the weather wants to alter:whistle:

                    He got some artificial climbing plant in a roll the other day connected to plastic mess to stick up the back to block an area and it looks ok:)
                     
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                    • pete

                      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                      if you should come across a good way of killing ivy, please let me know.;)
                      Hedge trimmers dont work.:biggrin:
                       
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                      • Gail_68

                        Gail_68 Guest

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                        @pete It can get annoying mate:heehee: and way out of control and to where it's situated the growth speed can be quick...luckily for we it's just by the conifer:)
                         
                      • xantia

                        xantia Apprentice Gardener

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                        • Gail_68

                          Gail_68 Guest

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                          Hi @xantia It's called Elijah Blue fescue grass and in april that's when the blue shows more..this is the blue in full colour :)

                          [​IMG]
                           
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