English ivy

Hard Labor

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Now that the seasonal clean-up is underway, I am struck once again by the physicality of many garden chores.  I am thinking of jobs like trimming the vigorous rose that clambers up our eight-foot tall arch, or pulling down the rampant ivy that threatens the mortar of our high stone foundation.  Then of course there … Read more

Saint Vitus Riparia Dance

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When I am doing battle with the English ivy at home, I am convinced there is nothing worse.  It inveigles its way into the garden beds, climbs the sides of the house and races up and over the perimeter fence.   Some days it scales the trees faster than the squirrels.  If you tear it off … Read more