How to Grow Lush English Ivy on Your Garden Fence

Nothing quite transforms an ordinary wood or chain link fence like a curtain of deep green English ivy This classic vine rapidly covers unsightly fences with graceful foliage Once established, ivy requires little maintenance while providing year-round interest. Follow this guide to successfully grow ivy on fences to enhance your outdoor space.

Why Grow English Ivy?

English ivy, or Hedera helix, delivers a range of benefits as a fence-covering vine:

• Provides quick, dense coverage to heighten privacy

• Obscures unattractive fence views with lush greenery

• Looks tidy and polished as a living fence or wall

• Stays green and grows year-round in mild winter climates

• Tolerates shade and needs little maintenance when established

• Climbs naturally without support once rooted on the fence

• Deters graffiti and vandalism on public boundaries

For these reasons, ivy has remained a go-to vine for fences for centuries. Once you have it established, it can last indefinitely with minimal care required.

Choosing the Best Ivy for Fences

When shopping for ivy, look for named cultivars instead of generic English ivy. Cultivated varieties offer more uniform growth, better hardiness and improved disease-resistance over wild forms.

Some top ivy varieties for fences include:

• Baltic Ivy – Vigorous evergreen vine with frilled dark green leaves. Grows up to 9 feet tall. Withstands heat and drought when established.

• Glacier Ivy – Silvery green leaves with white veins. Grows up to 8 feet tall. Handles a variety of conditions.

• Needlepoint Ivy – Compact with deeply lobed, spear-shaped leaves. Grows up to 6 feet tall.

• Shamrock Ivy – Vibrant chartreuse leaves brighten up fences. Grows to 8 feet tall.

For covering large fences, choose an ivy variety that matures over 6 feet tall. Smaller ivies work well for accenting sections of fencing.

Preparing the Planting Area

Ivy thrives in fertile, well-drained soil amended with compost or manure. Avoid soggy, compacted sites. Test the soil pH and amend if needed – ivy favors neutral to slightly alkaline soil around 6.5 to 7.5 pH.

Plant ivy at least 1 foot away from fence foundations and structures to prevent potential damage from root growth. If planting alongside existing plants, space ivy 2-3 feet away to prevent overtaking neighboring plants.

Planting Ivy on a Fence

Step 1. Dig holes 6-12 inches away from the fence spaced 12-18 inches apart. Hole width and depth should accommodate the ivy’s root ball.

Step 2. Carefully remove ivy from containers, gently loosen bound roots, and place in holes. Backfill with native soil and compost blend.

Step 3. Water thoroughly until soil is moist 6-8 inches down. Add mulch around plants to retain moisture.

Step 4. Fertilize ivy monthly through the first growing season to encourage healthy establishment.

Step 5. Once ivy establishes roots, train stems towards the fence. Trim offshoots growing along the ground.

Caring for Established Ivy on Fences

Once your fence ivy matures, follow these care tips:

• Water deeply once weekly during summer dry spells for the first 2 years. Mature ivy tolerates some drought.

• Fertilize established ivy in spring and fall using a balanced organic fertilizer. Avoid excess nitrogen.

• Prune long stems in spring after flowering to manage growth and maintain desired shape.

• Remove old stems regularly to encourage new growth. Cut back uncontrolled spread as needed.

• Monitor for pests like scale, spider mites and aphids. Treat organically at first sight.

• Clean up fallen leaves and debris to discourage slugs and snails from taking shelter.

Managing Ivy Growth

To prevent ivy from spreading too far on fences, prune aggressively each spring. Here are some effective practices:

• Cut long stems back by at least 1/3 to 1/2 of their length to contain growth.

• Snip off new vines wandering away from the fence and onto the ground or other structures.

• Remove the lower 2-3 feet of growth regularly to keep the base slender and discourage outward spreading.

• For aging ivy with decreased foliage density, cut back large sections of stems to encourage lush new growth.

• Sever ivy vines climbing on unwanted structures or trees. Carefully cut away and retrain ivy back onto the fence.

• Monitor for excessive self-seeding and remove young seedlings when they emerge.

Potential Ivy Growing Issues

Despite being a fairly trouble-free vine, here are some potential problems to watch for:

• Poor climbing – Improve by tightly training new stems to fences with plant ties or clips until they attach.

• Browning leaves – From too much sun or water stress. Increase water and shade in hottest months.

• Legginess – Needs pruning. Cut back stems to just above a leaf node to stimulate dense regrowth.

• Discolored foliage – Could indicate pests or diseases. Identify the cause and treat accordingly.

• Slow growth – Usually needs more water or fertilizer. Mulch and amend soil to help.

Alternatives to English Ivy

English ivy remains the most popular fence vine, but other options exist:

• Virginia creeper offers bright red fall color. Grow Boston ivy for brilliant fall displays.

• Silverlace vine, climbing hydrangea and trumpet vine handle shade better than English ivy.

• Honeysuckle, jasmine, and wisteria add fragrance. But monitor spread carefully.

• Ornamental grasses like mondo grass or liriope offer architectural contrast to vines.

Just be sure alternate vines root well on fence surfaces and match your desired maintenance level.

Transforming Fences with Lush Ivy

English ivy brings elegance and beauty to otherwise plain fences. Follow the tips above to successfully establish ivy and keep growth contained long-term. With the right care, your living fence will thrive for years of handsome greenery. Soon your neighbors will be envious of your perfectly adorned garden fence accented with graceful ivy vines.