Ivy - How can I get rid?

Hello

I have an Ivy in my back garden and its running riot!! A couple of years ago I pulled it all out of the hedge, right back to ground and then kept cutting it back each time it re-grew. Anyway - this has given it a new lease of life and it is even more rampant now and spoiling the hedge.
Is there a safe way to kill it? The hedge has wrens and robins in, I also have a dog and kids - so am not wanting to use anything like a spray or a leaf-paint.

Any ideas?

Thanks :D

 

Even with weedkiller Ivy is hard to get rid of. The leaves have a waxy surface which lets water run off, so the weedkiller which is absorbed through the leaves is rendered ineffective. All you can do is remove every trace of green leaf as and when it appears, evey day if need be. (on both sides of the hedge too) Eventually it will die of hunger. We have a lot of ivy in and around our garden and it does provide shelter and food for the birds so we tend to leave it except where the weight is beginning to damage trees.

 

Hello Lisa

Glad you like the muffins!!!! I'll be round for a cuppa later!!

Yes, the Ivy - after reading what you and Paultris say, perhaps I'll try and leave a little bit for the birds, but it really is in the wrong place, and its a large one and if it goes unchecked, it will choke the neighbour's beautiful hedge. But I'll see how I go.
(Typical, isn't it - its THE plant in the garden I haven't managed to kill yet!!! :rolleyes: )

(.....and on Monday, I made a rather delicious apple cake for the boy's lunchboxes... needless to say, it had all gone by Tuesday!! :eek: )

 

Hi, if you really need to kill it, don't bother attacking leaves and branches. Cut it down close to the ground and then either use something like a pruning saw to cut into the base in the soil, or use a root and stump killer. This could be covered if necessary to protect wildlife.
You could always root a stem somewhere more suitable.

 

I would go with Liz's suggestion. Also be very carefull where you dump any bits you chop down. They will root into almost anything!

If you want some ivy growing go for one of the smaller leaved varigated ornamental type. They are usually hardy enough to survive outside but are much slower growing than the wild kind.

However, it's a great plant for butterflys (as well as nesting birds) and I've seen wild ivy smothered in Red Admirals when it flowers in late summer.