No matter what I do, the ivy just KEEPS coming back and killing everything else in my garden

[Curmudgeoness]

2. You sound like me with creeping myrtle,

honeysuckle, and mint. These plants have taken over everything. And I have reluctantly given in to it, but I just TRY to keep it under control. If you have a few plants that you want to save, just work hard to keep the ivy away from them. If your house is brick or stone, you could let it grow up the house if there is no damage to the mortar.

The problem with ivy growing up your house is when it gets to the eaves and roof. It can actually grow into the cracks in eaves and roof. But if you like the look of it growing on your house, just keep it trimmed away from everything that could have cracks. I actually use a weed eater to trim things down at the base of my house.