[Umbrian]

A mild, wet winter and early spring has seen a proliferation of weeds this year but in one area of my garden I have seen a positive result. Common Ivy, that grows amongst the already existing trees along the approach road to the property, has travelled along the ground in certain places and reached the gravel path, bounded by small stones, that bounds what I call my woodland border. Melissa has also been allowed to colonise certain places here and so now I have a beautiful green area that is very pleasing to the eye with minimum upkeep - I have just trimmed the Ivy back to prevent it from over running the path but it is certainly doing a good job at keeping less welcome " weeds" at bay.

[Jill S]

Isn't just a green (in variety or all one shade) area really restful and comfortable to look at/be in? lovely!

[Trevor Australis]

Ivy is a much abused useful plant, particularly in conditions of dry shade where not much else will grow and cover significant areas. Maintenance is the key to keeping things civilised. Clipping the edges is important but even more important is keeping it out of trees. Once it gets up and away it tends to develop mature bushy growth that flowers and fruits too well; seedlings come up everywhere spread by birds who excrete the seeds after consuming the fleshy part of the berries. Keeping ivy under control, and in a juvenile state, prevents this happening.