Ivy: A Battle Won

Gone but not forgotten: the Ivy has left its’ mark

Well it took some doing and like its’ historical namesake, Rasputin (the ivy) withstood many attempts to prise it away from the wall but perseverance has paid off and finally, yesterday late afternoon, the last of this annoying climber made its’ way into our brown recycling bin. But it has left its’ mark on the walls and and roof and Mud foresees a stint of house painting and roof repairs coming up in the not so distant future.

Poisoned Ivy

I might finally be winning this war!

If gardeners or would be gardeners take just one piece of advice away from my blog let it be this: never, ever, EVER be tempted to plant a climbing ivy at the base of or near to the walls of your house. I agree, pictures of ivy clad homes look charming and olde world and often conjure up thoughts of an idyllic way of life, reminiscent of quintessential villages, serving cream teas at the weekly cricket match. However, behind the beauty lies a sinister, dark secret which makes those of us that know think not of the creeping beauty but of an attack of the Triffids …… you see ivy isn’t as innocuous as you might think. Far from it. Ivy is in fact, intent on world domination and can reduce the creations of mankind to rubble, quite literally and what is more, Ivy is nigh on impossible to destroy, short of using nuclear strength weed killers which would then render an entire section of your garden useless for millennia. Well, okay, maybe not millennia but you know what I mean!

Wreck the walls with boughs of Ivy

It may be pretty to look at but it is not good for the building

We have a bit of a problem in our garden at the moment, an invasive ivy has taken over the extension wall and is trying to cover the roof. This is not good, no matter how cottagey it may look and we need to deal with it and quickly, before it grows some more.