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This Reddit user posted a question about plants on the subreddit r/gardening and made the right decision: The attached photo shows a quaint flower bed with two small bushes in the center and their wayward friends on the upper left side.
“If I let this ivy grow as a ground cover in this flower bed, will it stifle the growth of the lavender and rosemary bushes?” she captioned the post.
Photo credit: Reddit
Photo credit: Reddit
According to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, common ivy, also known as English ivy, is native to Europe, Western Asia and North Africa and was brought to the United States by colonial settlers as early as 1727. It is an invasive plant known to invade both gardens and natural areas in the United States, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
For this reason, ivy is probably not the best choice for your backyard and can cause some nuisance, but if we think carefully about the plants we grow or plant ourselves, both in terms of growth habits and local-specific qualities, we can save time and money on lawn care.
Native plants can also have a lasting positive impact on the environment. Not only do they bring peace, vibrancy and diversity to your garden, they also create food and shelter for local wildlife and healthier ecosystems for pollinators year-round. This is beneficial for humans, too, as pollinators protect our food supply.
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In addition to native plant gardens, other eco-friendly, low-maintenance landscaping options include planting buffalo grass, a plant native to North America, and xeriscaping.
Other Reddit users urged the original poster to remove the ivy before it's too late.
“If you're not in the UK, get rid of your English ivy!” one person wrote. “It's a real thorn in my side.”
“It will overwhelm and kill other plants,” commented another. “Don't plant ivy.”
“To take care of your garden and home, remove the ivy,” said another. “There are plenty of other creepers and climbing plants that won't destroy everything you value.”
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