Thanks for the warning. I'm not sure how I feel about the Ivy. I like the clean tidy appearance of pic 2.

I do like the look of Pic 1 but am with you about the subsequent mess if you remove it.We have a similar gate and arch to our back garden and ivy does try to get a hold, but I keep it ripped off when it gets too high.

Yes, we had ivy growing up the front of our bungalow and took it all back to the ground. By the time we left the house, a couple of years later, it had covered the front door and was creeping over all the windows and under the roof tiles. In your garden I'd put a clematis in its place, but you would need to put a trellis up. I just think a bit of colour would look great and it would be easier to control.

Thanks for the replies, i like the idea of a clematis. But know nothing at all about these. Which one ? And there is a big, immovable, dead Ivy root at the base. Would this be a problem ?

Don't trust that ivy root. Ours grew again and was back to square one after a couple of years.

I cut the ivy plant off at the base a year ago, bored some holes deep into the top and filled them with some white powder. If anvone knows what it was I'd refill it.

Hank, try dabbing the ivy roots with a systemic herbicide like round up. Just be careful to ONLY dab the roots and not the ground so as the ground isn't contaminated, just the ivy.

Thanks B, will get some and apply very carefully as I'm hoping to put a clematis in it's place.

You shouldn't have a problem growing clematis- it's a good choice.

STOP PRESS. I managed to dig up the rest of the ivy plant, you should have seen the size of the base. It's now ready for the clematis. Decision time again though - I know I want small flowers, but red or purple ?

I've been looking at getting some more clematis as I had to leave four behind when we moved. I've seen one beauty named Princess Diana, and it's a lovely pink/red and although it's expensive I'm tempted.