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May 20, 2015 7:40 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus Hybridizer Garden Sages Butterflies
As most of you know, I have a new house and yard. It came with a bed of Ivy. At first I was going to get rid of it but then changed my mind. With better defined borders, it's an island and I've decided to put my Tropical Hibiscus, Elephant Ears, Banana, Globba Gingers, Curcuma Siam Tulip Gingers and Costus. All plants that stay in pots and overwinter in the greenhouse. The Hedychium and Curcuma Hidden Gingers will go somewhere else since they will be in the ground.

The pots will be buried with only about 4 inches of pot showing so the Ivy should hide the rims.

I've been mulling over how to place the plants, have a few ideas but would like to hear other ideas on where to place the plants.

Here are pictures of the Island. I will neaten up and better define the borders once I get going. If so inclined, check out my plant list to see what I'll be working with.

http://garden.org/lists/view/X...

Thumb of 2015-05-20/Xeramtheum/c65047 Thumb of 2015-05-20/Xeramtheum/20b8ec Thumb of 2015-05-20/Xeramtheum/24b395
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May 21, 2015 10:27 AM CST
Name: Kyla Houbolt
Gastonia, NC (Zone 7b)
Composter Plant Identifier Organic Gardener Herbs Daylilies Sempervivums
Frogs and Toads Container Gardener Cat Lover Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! The WITWIT Badge Winter Sowing
That is a GREAT idea! How clever, and much easier (and more attractive) than trying to eradicate the ivy so as to plant something else. How do you hope to contain it?

Please post pictures as this project develops, I'd love to see.

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May 24, 2015 7:45 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus Hybridizer Garden Sages Butterflies
Thanks Kyla - I'm thinking I can hand cut a perimeter then use my weed whacker to keep it in line since new growth is tender .. have no idea if that will work or not. I'll see though! If anyone has ideas on how to keep ivy in check, please speak up!

Too bad I can't train the tree rats to do it for me.
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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May 24, 2015 9:30 AM CST
Name: Kyla Houbolt
Gastonia, NC (Zone 7b)
Composter Plant Identifier Organic Gardener Herbs Daylilies Sempervivums
Frogs and Toads Container Gardener Cat Lover Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! The WITWIT Badge Winter Sowing
I know! If only they ate ivy.... Rolling my eyes. Green Grin!

I believe the weedwhacker will work, if you use it frequently enough and basically keep a bare trench around the edge. You may have to occasionally pull some eager scouts -- probably will! but my experience with ivy is that if you catch the new growth when it's young it's pretty easy to yank it right outa there.

Good luck! Er, also probably you'll want to watch out for it colonizing your containers up through their drainage holes.... so, trays underneath?
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May 24, 2015 1:14 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus Hybridizer Garden Sages Butterflies
I'll bury the containers about 3/4's deep.
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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