Gardeners! I need ivy for ground cover. Can I cut vines from my neighbors and transplant them?

Question

If so, exactly what technique is required. If not, what should I do to cover this bare dirt.

Answer 1

Not sure of your space and requirements but I'm not a huge fan of English Ivy. It can be invasive once it starts to take. I've seen it kill trees ( of course that is years down the road), take over unintended areas, and clog drainage ditches and even tear siding off a house. There are other ivies that are easier to manage but not as fast growing. An old saying about ivy is that the first year it sleeps, the second it creeps, and the third it leaps.
If this is a sunny area, I would recommend you invest in groundcover junipers. For either sun or shade, liriopes or perriwinkle, ajugas are nice.
If you want the ivy because it's free, ask if you canlift some with roots attached. Work up the ground abit and lightly dust with some 10-10-10. Bury the rooted parts of the stems and leave the leaves above the soil. Water well and keep it moist until new growth begins. What ever you decide, good luck.
I now spend way too much time at my Mom's digging English Ivy out of her rock garden nd pulling it back from her dogwoods to encourage any one from going this route.

Answer 2

suckers can be cut off but you have to do when the plant is dormant. If you want good ivy buy it in the spring it grows very fast.
I actually put some in over spring break last year and had to move it. It didn't do so hot but it is coming back. They can me hard to start if you don't have the right conditions.

Answer 3

Yes, easily. What I would do is cut the sampled (with his permission) and put them in water for a few weeks until they start roots. Then plant them.

Answer 4

Yes--but get permission from your neighbor first.

Answer 5

the answers above are all great, dont forget to get permission from your neighbor, they will probably help