Latest news with #EnglishIvy
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Officials ban sale of once-popular plant with harmful impacts: 'A plague'
Officials ban sale of once-popular plant with harmful impacts: 'A plague' Starting this month, Washington state will ban nurseries from selling English ivy, an aggressive, invasive vine that can prove deadly for native plants and trees. The state's Department of Agriculture added English ivy to its noxious weed seed and plant quarantine in July, KING 5 reported. That means, starting Aug. 9, it can no longer be sold or distributed within the state. Eighteen other species were added to the quarantine list, including Boston ivy. "We're definitely celebrating here," Michael Feerer, founder of the nonprofit Whatcom Million Trees Project, told KING 5. That group gathered more than 1,500 signatures on a petition to ban English ivy. Feerer said some nurseries were hesitant to support the ban, as they didn't want to lose sales, but others pulled English ivy off the shelf before the rule took effect. English ivy, also known as Atlantic ivy, is native to Europe but has been in the United States since at least the 1970s, according to the National Invasive Species Information Center. Like other invasive species, it spreads quickly and can outcompete native plants for resources. This allows it to choke out native trees and take over large swaths of land. Because of its prevalence and invasive nature, garden enthusiasts across the country have waged campaigns against English ivy. One popular social media gardener said in a video that it "blows my mind" that the plant is available for purchase in much of the U.S. Another video showed the vine taking over an old-growth fir tree, with one commenter calling English ivy "a plague." If you have English ivy growing in your yard, experts suggest using pruning shears and cutting off a six-inch segment about one foot from the ground. This should remove the entire vine's nutrient source and prevent it from producing more seeds. Once the ivy is gone, replacing it with native plants can make your yard easier to maintain and better for pollinators while using fewer resources. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
04-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Aldi's £1.25 kitchen staple will eliminate English ivy from your garden & stop it creeping over neighbour's walls
AN expert has revealed a £1.50 hack to stop English ivy from overtaking your garden. English ivy is a charming-looking plant, which can make your outdoor space look like a serene haven. 2 However, it grows rapidly, and can end up overtaking your garden, and creeping over your neighbour's wall. Ivy can grow up to a whopping 30m tall, and produces aerial shoots that allow it to easily cling to walls, trees and fences. Tara Besore, who has a gardening blog called Hammer & Headband revealed how she successfully managed to prevent ivy from taking over her garden. She said: "Stopping it [ivy] seemed impossible, but eventually I got rid of every last ivy root and vine in my yard. "Here's what you need to know to remove English ivy for good." The gardening whizz tried cutting and pulling up the ivy and spraying herbicides on it, but found that neither of these methods worked properly. However, she revealed that solarisation worked a treat on even the densest patches of ivy. "It doesn't strain your back, and it doesn't require chemicals", she said. "All it takes is patience." To try out this hack, she explained that all you need is a black plastic sheet, such as a bin bag. Expert Gardening Hacks for a Pet-Friendly Summer Garden "After spending a summer getting nowhere with brute force, I turned to the solarisation method," Tara said. "This involves letting the sun scorch the ivy under plastic." Wrap your ivy in bin bags, and then secure it firmly with bricks or stakes. Tara explained that this method deprives the plants of water. Top gardening trends of 2025 Gardening experts at Barnsdale Gardens has shared the top gardening trends of 2025. Matrix planting It seems that a top planting trend for this year is going to be Matrix Planting. In essence, planting in groups or blocks to give an effect of being wild whilst actually being carefully managed. Selection of the plants is essential, to give year-round interest either with flowers, seed heads or frosted/snowy spent flower heads. Some recommend using plants that seed around, but this could make managing your matrix planting harder to keep under control. Chrysanthemum comeback I hope that the humble Chrysanthemum makes as much of a comeback this year as Dahlias have over recent years, because the simple single flowered types, such as 'Innocence' and 'Cottage Apricot' would be spectacular within a matrix scheme. The hardy varieties are so easy to grow in a sunny spot and give such a valuable burst of late summer and autumn colour that would lift any dull- looking border. Blended borders For some time now we have been promoting the growing of veg within ornamental borders and I think this could really take off this year. The choice of ornamental-looking varieties available in seed catalogues is phenomenal and, if managed correctly, visitors to your garden will not even realise that you have veg growing! Must-have tool My secret is out. I discovered the Hori Hori a couple of years ago and now it seems so is everyone else. It is such a well-made, adaptable tool that can be used as a trowel or weeding tool in the garden that and everyone I speak to who have used it absolutely would not now be without it. Enough said! "It cooks in the heat, permanently killing the ivy, the roots, and even the seeds so it can't grow back", she said. Once the ivy has turned brown and brittle, you can easily pull it up out of the ground and clear it away. Bin bags are super cheap, and you likely have them in your kitchen cupboard. If not, you can pick them up from Aldi for £1.25.
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
8 plants you can grow with just water and no soil from scratch
Taking care of plants can be time-consuming, but these houseplants only require minimal care and zero mess and still transform a space with their luscious blooms Every gardener knows that taking care of a plant can be a time-consuming task. If you're looking for a mess-free plant that just requires water to survive, these are the best plants to get started with, experts say. Now that the temperatures are rising and the summer is around the corner, plants need the attention for survival. However, some others require even much more care, and not everyone wants to deal with the mess of potting soil. Growing houseplants in water is a good option for those with busy schedules, as they only require water to thrive and survive, looking as good as new for weeks, if not months. Here are eight plants, as shared by DIY Everywhere: Peace Lily Peace Lilies are beautiful because of their white blooms and green leaves. As per their maintenance, just ensure that the plant's roots are covered in water, making sure that the crown is above the waterline. They also thrive the best when the sunlight hits them directly. Lucky Bamboo Associated with good luck and prosperity, Lucky Bamboo's don't need a lot of attention. To grow, just ensure the stalks are in a vase with at least an inch of water. Also, make sure the roots are submerged, changing the water every two weeks and away from the sunlight as it can burn the leaves. Photos Also known as the Devil's Ivy, this plant thrives in water and doesn't need a lot of care. For them to grow, simply cut a healthy vine with some leaves and put it in a vase with water. The water needs to be changed every couple of weeks, rinsing the roots for them to remain healthy. Spider Plant Spider Plants are known to be air purifiers, and are very easy to take care of. To do so, take a 'pup' and put it in a container with water. Just make sure that the base of the plantlet is well submerged and that the leaves are above the waterline, replacing the water every two weeks. Philodendron Philondendon are classic houseplants, and don't need sunlight to survive - just water. Cut the stem, leaving a few leaves and place in a jar with water. However, it's important to replace the water every two weeks and clean the container to avoid algae growth. English Ivy Versatile and elegant, English Ivy only needs a cool environment to thrive at their best. It's important to cut a section of the vine and remove several leaves before placing them on a vase. Change the water every couple of weeks, raising the roots for them to remain healthy and beautiful. Chinese Evergreen Chinese Evergreens are very low maintenance, and are perfect for beginners or those who aren't used to having the responsibility of having to take care of a houseplant. When placing them on a vase, cut the team by ensuring that the base is fully submerged in water. Wandering Jew Known for its vibrant purple and green colours, Wandering Jews also need minimal care. They add a pop of colour in any indoor space, and just need their water to be changed every two weeks.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Five houseplants to add to your home if you hate dusting – and one of them is just £9 from Wilko right now
There's one plant that's perfect for kitchens too HOUSE THAT? Five houseplants to add to your home if you hate dusting – and one of them is just £9 from Wilko right now Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE'VE all got our preferred methods of dusting our homes, but did you know certain houseplants can lessen the load when it comes to banishing dust? Many houseplants can catch and hold onto airborne dust particles, which is great news for plant lovers and homeowners. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Plants will need their leaves wiped to remove the dust they collect Credit: Getty 2 The plants help remove dust thanks to their ions which pull it in like magnets Credit: Getty The plants do this by pulling in the dust like magnets, from the air and onto their leaves. So, which plants work best for this? Spider plant If you're looking for a low maintenance plant that's easy to find and take care of, the spider plant is the best choice for you. It's great choice for pet owners too, because it's not toxic and resilient to all kinds of conditions. The plant also thrives in indirect sunlight, but you will need to wipe the collected dust from the leaves to ensure it can photosynthesise. Additionally, they absorb nitrogen dioxide which can help to keep the air circulating your home clean and fresh. Snake plant The snake plant is renowned for being succulent, which means it's super easy to look after. It's a great choice for keeping air inside clean and fresh as it releases oxygen into the air whilst removing other toxins. Meanwhile, researchers at Harvard University found it to be one of the most oxygen-producing houseplants, helping you to breathe and sleep better. Better yet, you can pick up this plant for just £9.99 from Wilko right now, making it budget-friendly too. English Ivy If you frequently dye your hair at home, then it's worth investing in an English Ivy plant. I pinky promise you'll have happy houseplants if you avoid the 'gap of death' that's killing them – fixing it is easy That's because it helps to reduce the levels of chemicals, but this plant is toxic for pets so should be avoided by pet owners. The plant is pretty easy to look after though, and needs water and sunlight every day. Peace Lily The peace lily is an ideal plant to be kept in the bedroom as it has a high transpiration rate meaning that when watered, it helps to bring moisture back into the room. However, the bad news is it's toxic to pets and needs a bit more TLC, as it requires morning sunlight only, misting and damp soil. Aloe Vera When you think of aloe vera, chances are its skin-soothing benefits instantly spring to mind. However, it turns out it's also very effective in removing toxins from the air. Aloe Vera plants are great for places like kitchens, so they can banish airborne chemicals found in detergents.
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Five houseplants to add to your home if you hate dusting – and one of them is just £9 from Wilko right now
WE'VE all got our preferred methods of dusting our homes, but did you know certain houseplants can lessen the load when it comes to banishing dust? Many houseplants can catch and hold onto airborne dust particles, which is great news for plant lovers and homeowners. Advertisement 2 Plants will need their leaves wiped to remove the dust they collect Credit: Getty 2 The plants help remove dust thanks to their ions which pull it in like magnets Credit: Getty The plants do this by pulling in the dust like magnets, from the air and onto their leaves. So, which plants work best for this? S pider plant If you're looking for a low maintenance plant that's easy to find and take care of, the spider plant is the best choice for you. It's great choice for pet owners too, because it's not toxic and resilient to all kinds of conditions. Advertisement READ MORE ON PLANTS The plant also thrives in indirect sunlight, but you will need to wipe the collected dust from the leaves to ensure it can photosynthesise. Additionally, they absorb nitrogen dioxide which can help to keep the air circulating your home clean and fresh. Snake plant The snake plant is renowned for being succulent, which means it's super easy to look after. It's a great choice for keeping air inside clean and fresh as it releases oxygen into the air whilst removing other toxins. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Meanwhile, researchers at Harvard University found it to be one of the most oxygen-producing houseplants, helping you to breathe and sleep better. Better yet, you can pick up this plant for just £9.99 from Wilko right now, making it budget-friendly too. English Ivy If you frequently dye your hair at home, then it's worth investing in an English Ivy plant. I pinky promise you'll have happy houseplants if you avoid the 'gap of death' that's killing them – fixing it is easy That's because it helps to reduce the levels of chemicals, but this plant is toxic for pets so should be avoided by pet owners. Advertisement The plant is pretty easy to look after though, and needs water and sunlight every day. Peace Lily The peace lily is an ideal plant to be kept in the bedroom as it has a high transpiration rate meaning that when watered, it helps to bring moisture back into the room. However, the bad news is it's toxic to pets and needs a bit more TLC, as it requires morning sunlight only, misting and damp soil. Aloe Vera When you think of aloe vera , chances are its skin-soothing benefits instantly spring to mind. Advertisement However, it turns out it's also very effective in removing toxins from the air. Aloe Vera plants are great for places like kitchens, so they can banish airborne chemicals found in detergents. Five popular plants which can damage your home HOME insurance experts at Norton Insurance Brokers have identified five popular plants, including wisteria, bamboo, and ivy, that, while visually appealing, are increasingly linked to costly structural issues, rising premiums, and rejected insurance claims. Wisteria - Hidden structural threats and denied claims for water damage Bamboo - Spreading roots linked to floorboard damage and legal disputes English Ivy - Aerial roots prying into mortar and impacting building integrity Tall Trees - Subsidence risk and invalidated policies due to proximity Jasmine - Damp and mould caused by overgrowth near vents and brickwork
