Ivy can help disguise an old, rusty fence.
Ivies are hardy, usually evergreen plants with a vining habit and glossy, pointed leaves. There are many varieties of ivy to chose from, and many make attractive house or garden plants. English ivy is a very commonly found species in North America, but it is considered invasive in some areas. Boston ivy is deciduous in cooler climates, but produces a brilliant red color display in fall and has large, wide, notched leaves. Both of these are climbing ivies, but some are also sprawling. Whatever ivy you chose, it will grow quickly and need little extra care. Choose an area with full to partial shade and provide occasional supplemental water. Most important of all, pick an ivy that is self-supporting or climbing to make training it up the fence easy and attractive. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Plant the ivy as close to the fence as possible. It should be within 6 inches of the structure. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball of the ivy and mix in 3 inches of compost. Gently fluff up the roots of the plant and place it in the hole. Backfill and press the soil in around the ivy.
2. Water the plant until puddles form on the surface of the soil. Let them drain, then water once again. Provide water twice per week until the ivy becomes established, about one month.
3. Cut the ivy back to 6 inches. Let it grow for four months, then fertilize with 1/2 cup of all-purpose fertilizer. Work the fertilizer into the top 3 inches of soil and follow with a deep watering. Fertilize every other month during the growing season.
4. Tie the new growth up to the bottom of the fence to assist it as it climbs. Once it reaches 1 foot tall it can usually self-adhere and will need no assistance.
5. Twine the young growth in around the iron stems of the fence once every two weeks or so when it is young. This will result in a fuller appearance than if you just allow it to grow on the outside of the structure.
6. Prune the ivy in spring to promote bushiness. Cut the terminal growth back 4 to 6 inches, ending just before a growth node. Cut off dead stems at any time of the year to enhance the appearance. Remove any smaller stems that splay out from the fence to keep a tidy habit.
7. Rinse the leaves off when they are dusty and use a hose to spray off any insect pests you may spot. Spider mites are the most common and can be identified by their webbing on the plant. Use an insecticidal spray to coat the leaves and stems weekly until the pests are gone.
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