Garden alternatives
There is an excellent booklet produced by The Nursery & Garden Industry Australia with invaluable information on Weeds, control and replacement plants.
Click on the image to the left to view the booklet.
The Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria recommends the climbers/ground cover plants shown below as an alternative to English Ivy in a garden or park.
Native Clematis
Clematis aristata and C. microphylla
Climbing and Ground Cover Plants
These are the best known of the Australian native clematis.
Profuse spring/summer creamywhite flowers followed by small decorative fruits. Best in dappled shade for summer protection. Displays well on fences, lattice or rough walls.
Native Sarsaparilla
Hardenbergia violacea 'Happy Wanderer'
Climbing and Ground Cover Plant
This is a vigorous, popular and generally hardy Australian native plant that grows to about 1 m high by 1 m wide. The pea shape flowers appear in late winter and early spring and are violet in colour. It can be used as a ground cover and will climb on a support. It prefers an open sunny position. Pink and white flowering cultivars are also available.
Japanese Star Jasmine Trachelospermum asiaticum
Climbing and Ground Cover Plants
This twining, evergreen climber with dark green, glossy leaves can be grown as a ground cover plant. It is covered with masses of lightly fragrant, small white flowers from summer through to mid-autumn. It will grow in semi-shade or full-sun in a wide range of soils.