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English Ivy in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Hedera helix

 

English Ivy

Hedera - Ivy - is an evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plant. When creeping, it rarely exceed 20 cm height, but when climbing on suitable surfaces,using specialised hairs that enable it to cling, it can climb to at least 30m above the ground. The leaves of ivy are shiny, dark green (pale green when young) with 3 - 5 lobes.Mature plants produce yellow-green flower-clusters, followed by black berries. All parts of the plant are toxic, and contact with the sap may irritate skin, or cause an allergic reaction.There are many cultivars. Common ivy (Hedera Helix) is a popular ornamental which thrives in shady places, provides excellent ground-cover and cover for unsightly walls. It is also an important source of food and shelter for wildlife during winter.

Contributed by @aes239

 
plant Features
  • English Ivy likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • English Ivy likes very little water

    Very little water

  • English Ivy is full frost hardy: 5f (-15°c)

    Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

  • English Ivy likes moist and free draining

    Moist and free draining

 
plant information

Common name

English Ivy

Latin name

Hedera helix

type

Climber

family

Araliaceae

ph

5.0 - 8.0 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    English Ivy likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Frost

    English Ivy is full frost hardy: 5f (-15°c)

    Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

  • Soil

    English Ivy likes moist and free draining

    Moist and free draining

  • Water

    English Ivy likes very little water

    Very little water

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown English Ivy is 20.00meters x 30.00meters 20.00 M 30.00 M

Hedera helix

Hedera - Ivy - is an evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plant. When creeping, it rarely exceed 20 cm height, but when climbing on suitable surfaces,using specialised hairs that enable it to cling, it can climb to at least 30m above the ground. The leaves of ivy are shiny, dark green (pale green when young) with 3 - 5 lobes.Mature plants produce yellow-green flower-clusters, followed by black berries. All parts of the plant are toxic, and contact with the sap may irritate skin, or cause an allergic reaction.There are many cultivars. Common ivy (Hedera Helix) is a popular ornamental which thrives in shady places, provides excellent ground-cover and cover for unsightly walls. It is also an important source of food and shelter for wildlife during winter.


Planting

From Early Spring TO Early Spring

Ivy is quite adaptable to various garden situations, but it prefers fertile, humusy, moist but well-drained soil. Variegated ivies like light, but need protection from strong sun. Plant deeply to encourage quick establishment. Indoors, provide bright indirect to low light.

 

Propagation

From Early Spring TO Early Summer

Cut a length of ivy vine up to 4 feet long. Use a clean pair of shears or a sharp knife. Cut the vine into multiple pieces, with each piece having one or two leaves. Make each cut directly above a leaf, and trim the stem below the leaf to about one inch. Dip the end of each stem in rooting hormone powder. Fill a planter with sand (or a sand/soil mix) and poke holes in the sand for planting. Plant each powdered stem in a hole and then gently push the sand around the stem. Water the sand well and place the planter in a plastic bag to help retain moisture. Open the bag once a week to water when needed to keep it moist. The ivy twigs will begin to sprout and be ready to replant in a permanent location within six to eight weeks.

 
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