Whatever you do don't let the ivy bloom. If it does, cut the blooms off right away. If you don't the birds will carry the seed for miles, and ivy will be coming up everywhere. We found that out when the neighbors English Ivy hedge bloomed with very pretty yellow flowers. The next year seedlings were coming up all over out 1/2 acre, across the road in a field and woodland, up and down the creek. It is downright scary stuff.