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Oklahoma Gardening

Brown Boston Ivy

lance_in_norman

13 years ago

I've had Boston ivy growing on the southwest wall of my house for several years. I know it probably gets too much sun there, but that's where is. Around this time every year the leaves start to get brown spots. I first assumed it was heat scorch, but they get brown even in the the cooler shady areas on the east wall where some vines are wandering.

I live in west Norman and have noticed this happening to the Ivy on the retaining walls by that Brookhaven neighborhood on Robinson and 48th. I also noticed it when they had the ivy growing under the eaves in Brookhaven Square.

Is it just too hot for it here.

I'll try to post a picture or two in the next day or so, but I'd appreciate any thoughts or insights you might have...

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Comments (3)

Okiedawn OK Zone 7
13 years ago
Lance, I think it ought to tolerate the sun and heat without severe scorching. There are some fungal diseases that cause brown leaves on Boston Ivy. Some of them are the same diseases seen on grape leaves. Google 'Boston Ivy diseases' and you should find info on the one I'm thinking of. It starts with a g.

Dawn
scardanelli
13 years ago
I planted some English Ivy on a few trellises in the backyard (not a popular thing to say in horticultural circles, I know, but I like it). They are getting the same spotting. I've read online that it's a bacterial leaf spot that the plant is more susceptible to in the extreme heat of summer. Not much to do about it I don't think, unless you can somehow provide it with more shade. I planted mine about 2 months ago, and they haven't done too much since then. They only get partial sun, but I think it's been enough to keep them from growing. I've been thinking of replacing them with Carolina Jessamine if they don't perk up in the fall.

-Matt
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Okiedawn OK Zone 7
13 years ago
Lance,

The disease I was thinking of is discussed in the linked webpage below. When you click on it, you'll see they are discussing grape diseases, but if you read down a couple of sentences, you'll see that the mention the disease affects Boston Ivy and Virginia Creeper as well. I don't usually see it on my Virginia Creeper....only in the absolute wettest of years.

Matt,

If you have children, you should know that all parts of Carolina Jessamine are highly poisonous. There have been cases reported of children becoming ill after sucking the nectar out of the flowers, like lots of us used to do with honeysuckle when we were kids. Deer do tend to avoid eating it though, so it is a great plant for folks with a deer problem.

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Here is a link that might be useful: MOBOT: Disease iof Boston Ivy

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