A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2002 English Ivy

I have English Ivy planted as a ground cover in a fairly shady area under oak trees. It has been planted for about 3 years. Suddenly it has begun to turn brown and die. Every morning it appears that more of it has died. I have tried using both fungicide and pest sprays. Neither seems to have stopped the problem. Can you help?

Just wondering, did you try a systemic insecticide? The most common cause of browning like you speak of is usually spidermites, which are easily controlled if treated with a systemic insecticide/miticide every 7-10 days, for three applications. Systemics work their way through the entire plant in order to kill the mites. You can also try a insecticidal soap/oil like Sunspray or products life Safer's.

Another helpful, less toxic treatment is to use your hose to spray down the ivy once a week. It won't effectively get rid of them all together but will prevent them from taking hold again.