PruningBostonIvyVine. PruningBostonivyvine can be tricky. If done incorrectly, ivy leaves brown “footprints” as well as ragged edges. To keep your ivy looking tip-top, you'll want to pinch, snap, or cut trailers as they develop. Why is BostonIvy Famous? BostonIvy's notoriety gave rise to the term - Ivy League, which refers to the BostonIvyvines found covering buildings at Harvard, Yale, and Dartmouth colleges in the Boston area. BostonIvy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)) is a vigorous but glorious vine that captures attention in autumn when its leaves turn brilliant shades of crimson. Easy to grow in either sun or shade, this vine requires little care, with the exception of pruning to maintain size. PruningBostonivyvine can be tricky. If done incorrectly, ivy leaves brown “footprints” as well as ragged edges. To keep your ivy looking tip-top, you’ll want to pinch, snap, or cut trailers as they develop. Bostonivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is a fast-growing and hardy vine that produces clusters of small, green flowers in spring, followed by glossy green leaves that turn red in fall.BostonIvy does not typically require pruning, but can be cut back to control its size and shape if necessary. the-boston-ivy-003 Bostonivy is a very vigorous and self supporting vine.Have you ever root-pruned or replaced the soil in any of the containers with the ivy still attached? Just trying to think through the solutions before committing to one. How do you prune and maintain vines? Pruning and maintaining vines involves removing dead or overgrown branches to encourage healthy growth and desired shape. Prune during dormancy for most species, cutting back to a strong bud or branch. Lots of gardeners are attracted to the stately beauty of Bostonivy, but controlling this hardy plant can be a challenge both indoors and in the garden. Regular pruning or removal can be found in this article. Bostonivy grows rapidly when unobstructed by pruning or vine breakage; the vines can reach up to 60 feet tall. They reach full maturity at about five years, at which point they may be 30 feet tall, with plenty of room to continue growing. Bostonivy is a moderate to fast-growing vine that requires regular water to look its best. During the growing season (April through September), it should be watered once a week and allowed to dry out slightly between waterings.