Last Updated on August 9, 2022 by Real Men Sow
Boston ivy, a beautiful, prolific, climbing plant that is often used to cover large, older houses, is quite impressive. It is closely related to Virginia creeper and makes a spectacular display in autumn when its shiny green leaves turn fiery red and orange before they fall.
Where Does Boston Ivy Belong?
The Boston ivy, which is part of the same family as the Virginia creeper but is more tolerant to shade and doesn’t bear any berries, is also in that same family. Because it is so widespread and large, it should be grown in larger gardens. It also requires a lot of care to maintain its growth.
How To Grow Boston Ivy
Plant them in well-drained, moist soil that is well-drained and in full sun to partial shade. For the first few years, provide support such as a small tree or trellis until the plant starts to stick to the fence or wall it is growing up.
Best time to grow Boston Ivy
You may need to tie in or remove any wayward shoots and dead or damaged leaves during summer. In autumn, trim back the plant to control its growth, especially if it is growing in a house. Make sure it doesn’t encroach onto windows or gutters.
Where To Grow?
Most garden soils will be able to tolerate Boston ivy. The ideal location for Boston ivy is in full sun to partial shade. However, the foliage will not be as spectacular if it’s planted in a shaded area. It is a very vigorous plant and will require a strong wall. An obelisk, trellis or trellis won’t do.
How To Plant Boston Ivy
For best results, plant in spring or autumn. You can improve the soil by adding plenty of organic matter to it before planting. Water in well. For the first two years, support the plant with canes or a small piece trellis until its suckers grow and the wall or fence itself becomes clingy.
How To Care for Boston Ivy
To keep Boston ivy under control, it will need some maintenance. In late autumn and winter, trim the sides of the ivy that reach beyond the woody frame to prevent it from overtaking your entire wall. You should be careful to look for stems that are self-layered so they can be rooted. Stems should be kept clear of windows and guttering. After autumn leaves have fallen, they are large and should be raked up. They are a great addition to leaf mold.
How To Propagate Boston Ivy
Self-layering is the hallmark of Boston ivy. This means that any stem that touches soil will develop roots. Dig up the self-rooted stem to grow more plants. Take the stems from the parent plants, and then pot them on. This can be done at any time, but keep an eye on rooted stems.
Growing Boston Ivy: Pests And Problem-Solving
Boston ivy is rarely troubled by pests or diseases.
