How-to manage English Ivy as legitimate ground cover?

Is there a specific defoliant product that I can use to keep the Ivy I want and keep down all other varieties?





I know this is an odd question, since the Ivy is considered a pest, but I rent a property with a very large area of English Ivy ground cover in a nicely wooded back yard. When we moved here about 5 years ago the Ivy was contiguous and weed free. I had no idea how Ivy behaves. Obviously, as a renter I don't want to bother the owner to replace the ivy with a lawn I have to mow. It would be easier to just move. But I like this house and I'd rather manage the problem I inherited naievely.





Invasive species (grin) are colonizing what was a very nice low maintenance ground covered area. "Invaders" include Virginia creaper and a couple very large constellations of Poison Ivy. Pines and oak seedlings are making their way in too but easy to pull. But that's to be expected in a wooded area like this.

How-to manage English Ivy as legitimate ground cover?
If you would prefer a less toxic solution, this may help. Define a border line and dig a narrow trench. Get a roll or more of border edging and set it in the trench. Try not to damage the tree roots though. All you have to do after that is to maintain the edge-line to keep the creepers and runners at bay.
Reply:Thank you for the very green solution!! Unfortunately the area of coverage is so large I'm afraid I'll never get the ones that are all ready there. Report It

Reply:spot treat is the only answer. Buy a bottle of Roundup, and squirt directly on each plant you want dead, takes about 10 days.