The common plant you need to rip out of your garden immediately – it destroys buildings, but it's not Japanese knotweed

The Sun

11-05-2025

SOME plants are easier to control in your garden than others, but there's one common plant that can destroy buildings if it's not dealt with fast.
English ivy has a bit of a bad reputation, but it's for a good reason - it can strangle trees and even grow up to 80 feet high.
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There are actually two here are two species of of the plant which are native to Britain - Hedera helix (Common or English Ivy) and Hedera hibernica (Atlantic or Irish Ivy).
The main difference is that the latter won't climb up walls and trees, but rather sprawls along the ground.
Although it's not technically classed as an invasive plant here in the UK, it can be pretty problematic due to it's vigorous growth.
Speaking on an episode of the Gardens Illustrated podcast, Katy Merrington, Cultural Gardener at The Hepworth Wakefield, explained: 'If you have a sturdy structure, then ivy attaches superficially to the surface and does no damage.
"However, if you've got any deterioration in the construction, then it is tempting for ivy to root into gaps, and this is what you want to avoid.'
It's not just exterior walls that could be cause for concern though, the popular plant can also dislodge roof tiles and even pull gutters from walls.
Homeowners might also be left in a sticky situation if they do find damage because of the plant, since insurance claims could be reject on the grounds of neglect.
Because of this, if you do want to keep the plant regular maintenance is a must, this includes proper pruning and soil checks.
However, gardeners should always check for wildlife first, as the plant can act as shelter for nesting birds and under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it's illegal to destroy, or even damage, an active wild bird's nest.
HOW TO GET RID OF IVY
Gena Lorainne, a gardening expert at Fantastic Services, explained how simply pulling the plant away from the wall isn't enough, since it has extremely sticky roots.
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As a result, she shared her three tips that will ensure that you get rid of ivy, and for good.
Get digging
The pro explained that to say goodbye to ivy, you need to dig it out from the root.
She advised: 'The best way to remove ivy from a wall is to cut through the stem with a sharp saw and then dig out the root.
'Once the foliage has died, you can carefully remove the stuck-on stems with a wire brush. If it covers the ground, dig it up with a mattock or fork and dispose of it elsewhere.
'Alternatively, if the ground does not need to be planted, remove all the top growth, cover it with weed-control fabric, and add some mulch 10cm to 15cm deep.'
Spray it
In addition to this, Gena advised that English ivy can also be sprayed with weed killer which contains glyphosate.
However, gardeners should be extremely careful when using this as it can kill any nearby plants.
The gardening pro shared: 'It will kill anything it touches.
"Spray lightly so the weed killer does not drop off the leaves, or, even better, crush and damage the leaves before spraying so they can absorb more weedkiller.'
Mix it up
Finally, Gena shared another way to get rid of ivy - a simple homemade solution.
Gena continued: 'Pour 80 percent water and 20 percent vinegar into a container. Ensure that you don't harm any other plants while spraying the ivy plants.
'Observe the results after a few days. Remove any dead ivy and reapply the same solution as needed.'
The acetic acid can help target and dry out the roots, making white vinegar an effective plant and weed killer.
Similar to weed killers, white vinegar and water should never be sprayed close to other plants as it will kill them.
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Gardening mistakes that could get you fined
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: 'If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. "
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
'But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
'Most of the time, it's easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side," they add.
'Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
"Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
"Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn't have a problem.'
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour's view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
'If you're not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you're planning and, if there's an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance," advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: 'When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour's tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance," reveal the pros.
However, it's important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don't have permission to enter your neighbours garden.