Ivy Fences?

[hoggs222]

I've got a privacy fence where some of it is older and some is new. It looks mismatched. It's owned by the building behind my house. I'd like to grow some Ivy on it to cover it up. Where do I start?

[echotrail]

You should take a trip to the Minnesota Aboreateum, (I don't know how to spell it!) anyhow it's in Chaska. They have any kind of Ivy on display you could want along with the names and I believe the growth rates also. There is a fence next to the outdoor patio (dining tables) with some beautiful Ivy with samll red flowers. I'm not sure of their open dates and hours after labor day. If it grows in MN., they have it on display.

[htgeren]

I know Boston Ivy is one that will grow here and does not have to be "trained" to climb a wall. I've got it growing up my fireplace chimeny.

[hoggs222]

How many plants do you think that you would need for a 6' tall, 175' long privacy fence? I'm guessing, quite a few!

[Steve Foss]

Hoggs:

Virginia creeper (also called woodbine or five fingers), is tremendously hardy and grows from full sun to nearly full shade. It is handsome and turns a bright red in the fall.

You can buy it in pots from any greenhouse, but if you put in a "plants wanted" ad in the paper, likely you will find people who will not ask you to pay them for plants, but will just allow you to come over and dig out some of theirs.

VC grows quickly and can damage house siding because of the way it clings and pries its way into cracks. Many people who have it against their houses eventually realize they have way too much of it. For a fence, especially one you don't own, it should be just the ticket. I'd make sure you get sections of a good foot or so of root with rootlets on each, and plant them about six feet apart and water them very well the first year. If you want to plant them yet this fall, that'll work just fine, too. And water them in next spring. Of course, whatever you plant, down the line you might find yourself liable for fence damage if the company owns the fence and your plantings damage it. All clinging vines will do some damage.