Experts reveal how to rid your garden of ivy without using weed killer - and warn of three other invasive plants you should root out English ivy can overrun your garden and leave your other plants dead READ MORE: What is chaos gardening? The new low-maintenance trend taking over the Chelsea Flower show By Monique Rubins For Mailonline Published: 03:58 EDT, 25 May 2024 | Updated: 03:58 EDT, 25 May 2024 e-mail View comments With its thick, shiny green leaves, English ivy, also known as Hedera helix, makes a statement when it is growing on tree trunks and walls. But whilst its popularity stems from its attractive appearance, which leads many amateur gardeners to use it decoratively, the plant can wreak havoc. Dangerous to humans thanks to the chemical compound triterpenoid saponin which, if ingested, can result in vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, English ivy is equally harmful to other plants.
Capable of spreading very quickly, it can overrun your garden and ultimately kill off your other plants. English ivy - not to be confused with Boston ivy or poison ivy, both of which come from North America - can also cause damage to fences and walls due to its ability to find its way into any cracks in these structures. English ivy (pictured) can cause damage to fences and walls due to its ability to find its way into cracks in these structures Once it's lodged inside a crack in a fence or wall, it will grow there.
As a result, any existing gap becomes wider and the structure is we.