The revival of the ivy garden hedge: why you should consider it

Have you noticed it yet? Where until recently yew, beech or privet hedges adorned urban gardens, now more and more ivy hedges are adorning the cityscape. In this article we explain what this is all about and why ivy hedges are enjoying a revival.

Ivy has been known since ancient times

Ivy has been a part of people's everyday lives since ancient times. In ancient times, it was dedicated to the gods of wine and thus represented joie de vivre and community, and often decorated drinking cups at festivals. The ancient Greeks did the same, adorning themselves with ivy wreaths on festive occasions. In general, it was previously believed that a deity lived in places where there was plenty of ivy. So it is not surprising that gardens were already planted with ivy and ivy tendrils in ancient times.

Ivy was first recorded in German gardens in the 16th century, although gardens in the Baroque and Renaissance periods did not use the more rampant ivy. But in the 18th century, both ivy and ivy hedges conquered landscape parks and enjoyed great popularity, so that the variety of species also increased. Today, there are around 400 different types of ivy, some of which are hardy and others only found in warmer regions.

The advantages and disadvantages of an ivy hedge

When most people hear the word ivy, they think of wild greenery that snakes its way up house walls and trees, rather than a hedge. And yet, an ivy corner offers a number of advantages that other variants cannot offer.

On the one hand, ivy is very easy to care for and almost impossible to damage. Neither wind nor rain pose a real threat to ivy, regardless of whether it is the well-known common ivy or the Irish ivy, which is also well-known in gardens and hedges. The only thing that can be dangerous for an ivy hedge are very cold and dry winters, in which frost damage can occur.

Another advantage of ivy as a hedge is its dense, rapid growth. Ivy plants grow around 70 cm each year, so you don't have to wait long for a beautiful, dense and sufficiently high hedge.

Another useful feature is that ivy can be planted and trimmed at any time of year, meaning you don't have to wait for a specific time to plant your hedge or trim it and keep it in the shape you like.

Last but not least - and this is a unique advantage of the ivy hedge - ivy gives you the opportunity to install a very narrow hedge. Especially in relatively small gardens, which, depending on the situation, also border directly on the neighbouring property, this allows you to have a dense privacy screen without losing too much space. You can also let the ivy grow along a wooden frame or fence or a metal grid and thus create the perfect ivy hedge in no time.

Would you like to know more?  Read our detailed blog articles about the advantages and disadvantages of ivy hedges: Advantages & Disadvantages

What is important for an ivy hedge

As already shown, ivy hedges are generally very easy to care for and robust. There are only a few points to consider before purchasing one.

As already mentioned, an ivy hedge grows very quickly and can therefore become rampant. It is therefore important that you regularly care for your ivy hedge and trim it back. By trimming regularly, you ensure that the shoots are constantly stimulated and that growth is even and full. On the other hand, you also protect the other plants in the immediate vicinity, as they are quickly overgrown by the ivy and their growth is thus disrupted.

Regular care will also help you keep your ivy hedge looking fresh and full. The only thing you should remember when pruning is that you should only do it on days when the sun is not shining and there is no frost.

Easy-care and efficient

If you take all the advantages of the ivy hedge together, it quickly becomes clear why it has become so popular in recent years. In a time when more and more areas are being shared and people are living ever closer together, it offers an optimal solution.

With an ivy hedge, you get the privacy you want without having to sacrifice huge amounts of space, which is already rather limited depending on the situation.

Likewise, it does not require too much knowledge or a completely green thumb from its owners, but thanks to its robustness it is easy to handle for every garden owner.

Have we piqued your interest? Then contact us or stop by our shop . We will be happy to help you on your way to the perfect ivy hedge.