English Ivy Today. Is this a bad thing? Ivy can’t be that bad..can it? So what is it exactly that makes English Ivy such a menace to your lawn and garden? I brought home some ivy(not sure what kind) from my mom's house a while back and have had it in water because every time I put it in soil it wilts terribly. Birds and mammals are forced to move on to find food and appropriate cover. Not only that, ivy can weaken trees as it … English ivy use tendrils which will go into and damage mortar especially on older homes. The deep, rich green of its leaves is both calming and refreshing. Although intoxication from English ivy is generally not life threatening, it is still best to contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline as soon as possible. We assume you have what is known as English ivy? After decades of growth the root layers of English ivy are so dense that water rarely makes it down to where tree roots might be. Some people value ivy as an ornamental plant or as a part of nature. Will it hurt the house? Ivy's nectar and pollen can be important for bees and butterflies. Other Common Names: Common ivy, true ivy, gum ivy, woodbine, winter-green, winter-grunt, kissos, bergflétta. English ivy is an interesting and tenacious plant that can be a useful part of its environment or an annoying interloper. Look closely at it to see whether it has leaf spotting, stem spotting or dead areas. It gives me shade and privacy. Boston Ivy uses little suction cups to adhere. English ivy, especially the leaves, can cause gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and diarrhea when eaten, and the sap can induce a contact rash when exposed to the skin. The reason why English ivies are bad is that the roots of this plant will burrow under certain things which can cause fungus. English Ivy is a common favorite among gardeners and homeowners due to its beauty. Damage From English Ivy. Botanical Name: Hedera helix. Nothing grows among the ivy on the right of the dirt path, but various species grow on the left where any invading ivy was removed before it became established. In fact, they are labeled as an invasive species that will crawl all over the place. Description: English ivy is an evergreen climbing vine with glossy, angular leaves. Yes, English ivy can be quite destructive. When English ivy makes its way in to the canopy of a tree, lower branches of the tree get shaded die, leading eventually to the dreaded, “broccoli head” look. Why is English ivy bad? Photo taken June 2003. Habitat: English Ivy is a common garden plant that is native to Europe and temperate Asia. When a vine of English Ivy begins to dry up and turn yellow or brown, it’s good to know both the cause and the solution. Steals water from trees. English ivy (Hedera helix) perfectly illustrates the dangers of too much of a good thing. 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