My husband and I are having a bit of a tiff about Boston Ivy.
Years ago I read in Ann Lovejoy's book A Year in Bloom about a miniature Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus lowii) and how beautiful it is trained over masonry structures, the gorgeous fall color, and the fact (she said) that it's more manageable that the standard variety. Well, we have these two really ugly, cement gate posts that would look fabulous covered with a delicate small ivy, but my husband hit the roof when I said I wanted to bring ivy into our garden. I am looking for a way to contain the roots, including trenching around the area and putting in roof flashing, or sinking a good sized plastic planter with holes in the bottom, but he feels that the roots will grow through the holes and start taking over. I can't seem to let go of this vision of these gate posts covered in ivy (they have sentimental value for me and a few of my neighbors, so we don't want to demolish them).
Does anyone out there know how deep this miniature ivy's roots go?
Any reasonable ideas on how to contain it to just these two posts? (they take up about four square feet each, and are about five feet tall)
Perhaps a container with holes, but line it with landscapers material so it can drain but not allow the roots to come through?
Any thoughts?
this is my first post, and first night exploring Dave's Garden.
You could try pointing out to him that Boston ivy isn't really ivy...true ivy is in genus Hedera and this is Parthenocissus. But if that doesn't work, you could look for the root barriers that they sell for containing bamboo, those might work for this as well although I'm not sure if the ivy's roots would go deeper than bamboo or not.
The Boston Ivy is truly a wonderful colour both winter/fall with the red/orange colour and then the new spring growth is a lovely green, like all climbing plants, it is really up to the grower to contain it or let it grow completely out of control. so by containing the roots which ain't the problem really, you will give your husband some reassurance, and you will also be able to prune the actual problem part which is the top growth (climbing part) these top growths have little suckers where they attach to anything and that is how it supports itself onto walls etc, but each spring/summer, you can take the new growth off and keep the plant in check that way, either way, you will need to wait a good few years before you can enjoy the red/orange colours you like as the plant takes a couple of years to get going. good luck. WeeNel.
have you discussed a clematis, pillar rose, or even tall ornamental grass? there's got to be an alternative or happy medium. I have some kind of english ivy in front of my house. it isn't very invasive though, why it doesn't even climb up the house or go anywhere really.
pretty dull looking actually. I hope you wouldn't end up with that type. lol!
Are the pillars in the sun? I haven't had good luck with ivy's, but for a wonderful nostalgic look which is not as invasive, hollyhocks are a stunner. These bloomed around a stone pillar from late June through August, and since they are biennial (sp?), can be kept in check. Dax
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