Wild ivy on fence driving me mad.

[WendyS]

We have a loose-clad wooden fence and unrestrained ivy from my neighbour's garden is growing through everywhere and forcing the panels apart. Is there anything I can spray on it which will force it to die back? (I believe there is a product which you can spray or paint on convolvulous/bindweed leaves which eventually kills the roots & wonder if it would work on ivy) . As fast as I cut the ivy away it grows back again and is a losing battle. Thanks.

[ugly_bob]

I never understand why people have ivy. It's a malicious plant that destroys everything. If you've got it on your house, it gets between the bricks, under the roof tiles and causes ********* of damage. It's also a pain to get rid of. Needs cutting down and the roots poisoning to stop it regrowing. Petrol/diesel work well for this. I've not come across anything that will kill it by spraying the leaves.

Have you talked to your neighbour about this?

[BillyNoMates]

Creosote !

[Lonnie]

Hi Wendy, I have the same problem, but one of our garden centres has started selling a specialised Ivy Killer, in a spray and gel form, I started using it a few days ago, and it does appear to be working, a few of the leaves are starting to turning brown, if your interested, and can't get it locally, come back, and i'll post their web address.

[WendyS]

Hi Lonnie, Would really appreciate knowing the name of this product and the website address. I did browse my local garden centre shelves recently but couldn't find anything which looked suitable. Thanks.

[Lonnie]

Hi Wendy, its www.alton-gardencentre.co.uk I couldn't find the product online, but I know they sell it, its local to where I live, and I bought it just a few days ago, there is a phone No on the contact bit, so you may have to use that. Both the spray and the gel are just called 'Ivy Killer'. good luck.

[jake-the-peg]

RHS recommend Glyphosate or SBK brushwood killer

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0702/ivy.asp

here's the Ivy killer product Lonnie's talking about

http://www.rosemarysgardenshop.co.uk/products.php?dept=1011

PS I think it may just be glyphosate as a gel with a marking paint anyway

[Lonnie]

Thats the one jake.

[gessoo]

I understand the problem Wendy S has, and Ivy is a real nuisance when out of control, but I have some in my garden because it is known the best plant ever for nesting birds, and I strive to have a bird friendly garden. So please remember this and strive to keep an area of your garden where Ivy can flourish.

[WendyS]

Thanks everybody for your help. I'll try to locate some. I take gessoo's point about bird friendly ivy. In fact we have thick clumbs of various cultivated ivies on our back fence with nest boxes hidden among it. It's just this horrible little small-leaved wild stuff which is ruining our other fence.