boston ivy and rough winters

Can Bostin Ivy survive a rough winter in Minnesota?

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##FULL QUESTION# Dear *Gardening Life*, Last year I planted Boston ivy for the first time. We had a rough winter (Minnesota) and I can't tell if the plants are dead, or is it normal for them not be showing any new growth by early May? *—Marcia Cabot*

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##FULL ANSWER## Marcia, If you are in the northern part of Minnesota, Boston ivy may not be hardy for you. Zone 4 is about its limit. If you are in the southern part of the state, it just might have been killed to the ground by your rough winter, and could resprout if the roots are alive. According to a Minnesota garden centre, it should have a somewhat protected, part-shade location. The folks there say it can die back to the ground one year out of three. The variety 'Robusta' is supposed to be one of the hardiest varieties. I would give the plant the benefit of the doubt; don't give up on it too soon. If everything else is leafing out and there is still no sign of life on the ivy stems, try cutting it back to six inches or so from the ground and see if it resprouts. BTW, Boston ivy is not recommended to put on your house (siding or brick) as it can be a vigorous grower, insinuating itself into eaves and soffits, and its little "holdfasts" will damage the surface and mortar. But for a fence or lattice or a structure that needs a quick cover, it is fine. Good luck! *—Karen York, Botanical Editor* Other questions recently answered by the GL team: Growing on a septic field How to battle weeds between flagstone and alternative options Mysterious orange powder on the lawn What to do with end-of-season potatoes on the vine How to control Japanese knotweed What to grow in a dry area The proper way to plant astrantia What is the star flower and how do I manage it? How do I eliminate my ant problem? Preventing red beetles from attacking lilies Vine types to grow on a new pergola Maintaining purple fountain grass Keeping bougainvilllea healthy throughout the winer How to rid invasive green goutweed Good garden uses for fireplace ashes Growing grape hyacinth indoors The best way to convert a lawn into a meadow The proper way to grow rhododendrons Eliminating beetle damage to spruce trees Annual resembling Japanese maple Planting ivy near cedar trees In search of the 'Sundance Kid' sunflower Caring for canna bulbs A supplier for barren strawberry ground cover Winter care for roses Cutting back mauna loa The best time to harvest curly-leaf lettuce Eliminating invasive trumpet Caring for double-flowering hibiscus trees Eliminating white aphids from honeysuckle vine Where to purchase Japanese blood grass An alternative to rhododendrons Growing a vegetable garden over a septic field Dividing and replanting daylilies Proper care for oakleaf hydrangea The best care for shrub roses 'The Fairy' Pest eating purple leaf sand cherry Preventing lawn brown spots Keeping plants sturdy Preventing suckers from a cut-down serviceberry tree Best tomato seeds to sow Preventing wind damage to grasses Plants to highlight a pool Reshaping yew tree The best way to replace a lawn Best screening plants for privacy Buying snowberries in Montreal Keeping 'Endless Summer' hydrangea growing strong The proper way to fill planters The proper way to grow hyacinths

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