Problem with English Ivy

Hi, I live in SW Scotland and I'm new to gardening. In June I planted 20 English Ivy plants in a clay soil dug through with compost. The plants have shown little growth and now a lot of the leaves on most of the plants are turning red/brown. I would greatly appreciate if anyone can offer me help and advice on what the problem is and is there a remedy.

 

Welcome to GC Robert I'm sure someone will be able to identify the problem

 

Thanks Ellen. I was told at the garden centre that growing ivy was idiot proof, obviously not.

 

Are they in the right type of soil, for drainage?

 

I'm not sure it has got a high clay content. At time of planting I dug down about 1ft and mixed in lots of compost, the ground wasn't very wet at time of digging but we have had a lot of wet weather since planting.

 

If it's not drowning then it could be a deficiency, might benefit from something like a tomato feed with trace elements in it.

Welcome to Gardeners Corner btw

 

thanks Ellen and Zigs thats helpful, I'll have a dig tomorrow and check the condition of the soil at the roots. If thats ok I'll be getting some tomato feed.

 

I wouldn't normally recomend feeding at this end of the season, but as its Ivy, it usually carries on growing well into October.

 

Thanks,I'll let you know how I get on with the soil condition. With the amount of rain we've had and the type of soil there's a good chance they're drowning.

 

Hopefully you'll get to the bottom of it quickly

 

Hi Robert...i'm far from an expert but IMO once Ivy takes hold no matter what soil it's in it will romp away....i've some in soggy ground and some in bone dry ground and it took a couple of years for them to really get settled....

Oh and Welcome to Gardeners Corner

 

Hallo Robert,
glad you've found us in the Gardeners Corner. There's always some one who has had experience of a certain plant - plenty of helpful advice here,

Jenny

 

I've had a dig today , the soil seems ok moist but not wet and the roots of the plant I checked seem healthy and showing growth. I've given them all a feed and shall just wait now. Thank you all for the advice and welcomes it has been much appreciated.

 

One thought.
Clay is not good at absorbing water. Now you say that you dug down a foot - was that the whole area or just around the plants?

 

I too am no expert. The only think that springs to mind for me is that if its not long been in there, it may simply be stressed. In June it was very hot and dry in most parts, so quite possibly the immature roots simply weren't established enough to keep the top growth supplied with everything it needs.

I'd probably not be worried just yet. Its quite normal (in my experience) for there to be very little obvious growth in the first year, as the plant diverts all its energy to establishing a good root system. My guess is it will do nothing now until spring, by which time the roots will have developed, and then it will be away.