Question

Hi, gardening newbie :) we have ivy growing up the back fences, they're quite ugly fences overlooking unsightly sheds and I quite like the ivy. But is it bad? Should I be getting rid? Was wanting some clematis as saw that could also climb up and cover the back fence and maybe a trellis panel on top. It's a small garden and haven't done anything apart from spring bulbs since we moved in so it's a blank canvas! Any advice would be appreciated :)

Answer 1

I'm a complete novice but I've been sorting my garden out this week. Anyway, we had a fence like that and I took the ivy down and removed it all and because of the ivy, the fence was so weak the panel jus fell to pieces.  

Answer 2

I had to cut out my 10yr old clematis as it was rotting my fence. Sad to see it go but fence was expensive. How about power housing your fencing, treat it with cresoate and paint it. If you want to save your ivy maybe dig it up and plant in a planter that has a trellis attached.  

Answer 3

Try clematis (Montana) it grows really quickly and dies off in the Winter or Honeysuckle and Passion Flower are nice climbers xx

Answer 4

I used to clip the ivy back on our fence but the lady who owned the pond next door wanted to put a new fence up. When we took the ivy off the fence underneath was almost falling apart and it was the ivy keeping it together lol. I do miss the green though.  

Answer 5

The ivy had probably eaten it away! If you look at garden walls where very old ivy has been removed you will see holes right through the wall where the ivy has broken down the mortar.  

Answer 6

Ivy is a bit of a thug, but good for bees, butterflies, and birds. It's the last flowers of the year so a late feed for insects. check for nesting birds, if you cut back. looks like space for clematis either side, but trim ivy or it will swamp them.  

Answer 7

It will destroy your fence

Answer 8

I think that ivy looks nice. Just make sure you don't let it grow any bigger!  

Answer 9

Our ivy has been keeping our rotten fence standing for 20 years. Keep it trimmed back if you want to grow clematis at the sides.  

Answer 10

Ivy is destructive. So is virginia creeper, although not quite so much. Clematis is good, but not evergreen and tends to get all up top and nothing below, if you get my drift. my suggestions for climbers ar Jasminoides (evergreen star jasmine) Black eyed susan (thunbergia) is a very tender annual creeper but fabulous in the summer. Honeysuckle. wonderful for the bees, needs clipping to keep under control. Trumpet Vine (not the same as Trumpet flower. again deciduous) and for winter impact Clematis Armandii (evergreen winter flowering)

Answer 11

We had all fence panels replaced when we moved on apart from the one where the ivy was as I liked it haha. It’s basically holding the old panels together