The invasive vine is a quick climber of buildings.
In some areas, Boston ivy also makes an easy-care ground cover plant.
But where suitable, Boston ivy is always a better choice than English ivy.
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Boston ivy vines not only lend greenery through the summer, but they also provide fall color.
In spring, the new leaves of Boston ivy are reddish.
The leaves typically turn green in summer before reverting to areddish colorin fall.
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Boston ivy is generally planted from potted nursery starts in late spring or early summer.
It is a fast-growing vine that can add 3 to 10 feet each year.
Mature plants can reach 50 feet and sometimes even more.
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Growing Boston ivy plants upgarden arbors,pergolas, and fences are all sound practices.
The oxalates in the berries of Boston ivy, which are toxic to humanscan also be toxic to pets.
While it will toleratefull shade, Boston ivy needs full sun to achieve maximal fall color.
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Don’t allow Boston ivy to climb a tree.
The shade cast by the vine will interfere with a tree’s photosynthesis, thereby depriving it of nutrients.
Water
Boston ivy has average water needs.
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During the first growing season, ensure it is deeply watered so the roots develop well.
After that, water the ivy weekly, and more often when it is hot.
The plant is fairly drought tolerant once it is well established.
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Plants in exposed locations can sometimes be permanently damaged if winter temperatures fall below minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
New growth can sometimes be damaged by late spring frosts, but the plant usually recovers quickly.
An all-purpose fertilizer is fine for feeding in the spring.
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For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
Consider these popularcultivars:
Pruning
These plants are vigorous growers.
Prune the vines once each year (in late winter when dormant), to check the rapid growth.
The vines respond well to pruning, so have no fear of damaging them.
Prune only one-third of the plant at a time.
If you oughta remove the vine from walls, do not rip it offit can damage the wall.
Removing Boston ivy from walls can also leave behind the suckers, which are difficult to remove.
Instead, cut the vine at the base of the plant, allowing the vine to die.
Overwintering
Since Boston ivy is deciduous, it goes dormant in winter and loses its leaves.
Therefore, there is no need to winterize it and leaves will return in the spring.
If this occurs, carefully inspect the vine stems for the small scabby lumps that indicate scale insects.
Another common problem ispowdery mildew, which creates a powdery white residue on the leaves.
English ivy(Hedera helix) is evergreen, while Boston ivy is not.
English ivy is also a considerably more aggressive plant that can grow to 100 feet or more.
Many areas of North America regard English ivy as seriously invasive.
Virginia creeper(Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a species in the same genus but they are different plants.
The leaves of the Virginia creeper are compound and composed of five leaflets.
Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants.
