posted 2 hours ago
Poison ivy means disturbed open area. You also say there is a quite steep bank to the ditch, and being in WNC you probably get a lot of rain, so are possibly worried about erosion too?
Perhaps look at planting some Rhododendron and Hemlocks. Tsuga caroliniana has problems with the woolly adelgid, but Tsuga chinensis is completely resistant. Both of these plants are shade resistant and would themselves cast a lot of shade and inhibit poison ivy.