Ivy Problem

[Kia]

I'm not one for killing plants but we are being overtaken by Ivy.
Many other plants have been crowded out by this ivy and only a hardy bush remains, along with another, as yet unidentified, bushy plant at the far end where the ivy has not yet reached.
The ivy is actually causing structural damage to the part of the wall that is rendered, although the brick work seems to be undamaged thus far.

Is there a way to control the growth of the ivy or is total removal the only way and if so how?

Are there any hardy plants that can survive the ivy that we can plant along this row?
All needs to be non-poisonous to cats.

[Lance Morgan]

We have/had the same problem on the walls of our house. rather naively I planted it years ago but over the years it just took over and i got sick of having to cut it back. The only solution in the end was to cut it right back and then strip it with a scraper and kill the roots with weed killer. Even then it will continue to sprout and may require treating again.

[Kia]

We cut it right back last year and by this summer it had again reached above the flat of the people above us.

We're ground floor, so in 12 months or so this ivy must have grown a good 20' high. Almost fast enough to watch it grow - eek

[Lance Morgan]

yes they are incredibly quick growing and resilient. I could not keep up with it and finally my wife convinced me to get rid of it. I'm also not very good on ladders anymore

[Denise70]

If you really want to just kill it ~ systemic glyphosate weedkiller ( like round up but there are others!) spray only the leaves of the ivy and as much as possible. The plant takes it in through the leaf surface so is most efficient when its growing actively. Once the weed killer is dry on the leaf it is safe for animals ( and children)
You may find you need a few applications and then a stump killer ( similar method ) afterwards.

Good Luck!