8/30/12
Here's a one-time green thumb fix that will have a long-term impact on your air conditioning bills: plant some ivy at the base of your house. Allowing ivy vines to crawl up the walls of your home provides a natural buffer between your house and the hot sun in the same way a shaded tree keeps your home cool. The ivy plant absorbs heat and thrives from the sun's rays, and it reduces reflection on your home to keep it cooler. Ivy is also an easy-to-grow plant that thrives with almost no upkeep.