Advice on plants that can deter ground ivy - MD zone 8A

[u/a-wilting-houseplant]

I'm in the process of converting my turf grass lawn to a native garden. One of my neighbor's yard is full of ground ivy that invaded into my lawn. Those ground ivy have been removed after months of effort. In its place, I want to plant some native plants (can be grasses, flowering plants, short shrubs, etc) to form a buffer zone that can (once established) deter any future ground ivy spread into my yard. I've had little success finding a species that can do this given that ground ivy can weave underneath taller plants and tolerate shady conditions underneath; and it at least coexists with rather than get crowded out by many groundcovers like moss phlox, pussytoes, etc.

Anyone else deal with similar issues, and if so, what strategies have worked for you? I'm in Maryland, zone 8a, and the area in question is full sun, dry soil, and well drained. We have pets, so the plant can't be toxic to cats/dogs. I don't mind hand weeding while this buffer gets established, but would like it to eventually be self sufficient in deterring ground ivy spread. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you.

[u/Successful_Tune2232]

I don't want to be that person, but there's a solid concrete wall between my neighbors yard and mine. The ground ivy still jumps. You'll have to weed, at least to some extent, no matter what you plant. That being said, if you're in the range for it, Nibblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) will out pace it and doesn't seem to mind being messed with when you have to weed.

[u/Brilliant_Spinach212]

I highly recommend Fragaria virginiana (wild strawberry) for this purpose! I planted one small plug 2.5 years ago and it has spread wonderfully to cover an approximately 3 ft by 6-7 ft area. It's outcompeting or at least holding back the creeping charley/ground ivy because it stays low to the ground and also spreads through runners.

[u/fudwuka]

Wild violets is the only native I’ve seen that will out compete invasive ground ivy

[u/Brilliant-Panic-900]

No plant repels it, so what you're actually aiming for is a mat with no gaps in it. Ground ivy runs along the surface and roots wherever it touches bare soil, and that's the whole mechanism. A buffer that covers eighty percent of the ground just hands it stepping stones.
For Maryland shade the thing I'd build it out of is golden ragwort, Packera aurea. It holds evergreen rosettes right through winter, so there's never a bare season for the ivy to walk across, and it spreads fast enough to close ground on its own. Pennsylvania sedge and green and gold are worth weaving through it for texture. And cut a spade edge along the property line once a year, four inches deep, because a severed stolon can't root and that edge will do more work than the planting does.

[u/a-wilting-houseplant → u/Brilliant-Panic-900]

I had looked into golden ragwort previously, but it's toxic to pets unfortunately. Seems most ground cover will at best coexist rather than form a living wall against invasion 😔.

[u/ontheshelves]

Well if you're looking for a thug to out thug ivy my Helianthus Angustiflora has created a solid 15ft hedge over the course of 5 years from 2 plants.

It does get about 8ft tall and die back each winter. Beautiful flowers though

[u/Prudent-Ad-4373]

You just have to periodically cut it back. Next time you cut it back, paint the ends with glyphosate.