question about IVY

[cocopops]

What is the fastest growing ivy and how do I ensure that it grows up a garden wall?

Wild unvariegated seems to grow fastest - at least it does in my garden, and not necessarily where I want it. Canary Ivy is variegated and has nice large leaves, also a good cover. Just plant it within a few inches of the wall and believe me, it will grow up it all by itself, no help needed except perhaps initially to tie the first branches in the right direction.

Just a few words of warning that you may know already but...:

• the aerial roots on Ivy can damage brick work
• it won't necessarily just go up the wall (and almost certainly won't)
• digging it out again is a right pain in any part of your anatomy you care to name!

Sorry - I know it has it's place, but Ivy's not my favourite plant

Don't grow it up a garage or as high as the roof on any building or it will damage the roof//guttering. From experience!

Some take a while to get going but then ...
just stand back and wait. It'll grow up the wall.

Then spend the next N years cutting the damn stuff down.

Don't grow up a shared wall unless neighbour will be happy with it growing over the top.

We are waging war against next doors coming over/under/through fence, and ours invading next doors garage roof.