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Hedera helix - English Ivy
Plant Viewer
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| The majority of the leaves are a dark, lustrous green with 3-5 lobes. The veins are lighter colored and very visible. | It will send down new roots wherever it touches the ground. |
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| Ivy clings through the use of holdfasts. | Ivy will climb trees and any other structures. It can be problematic.. |
Plant Description
Hedera helix, commonly known as English Ivy, is a very popular evergreen climbing vine or groundcover. It is exceptionally vigorous and hardy, and can become invasive if left unchecked. It will root to the ground wherever the branches touch it, and will cling to buildings with holdfasts. It grows best in full to part shade.
The leaf is a dark green, often with clear white veins, and can reach up to 6 inches long. They are arranged alternately on the stem. Two different types of leaves form on the vine: lobed juvenile leaves and ovate mature leaves. The juvenile leaves are a dark glossy green color and the veins are most prominent on these young leaves. They have 3-5 lobes, with the center lobe being about twice as large as the other nodes. The mature leaves are slightly lighter in color. The margin is slightly undulate.
Landscape Use
Use as a groundcover in shaded locations, or as a vine to climb a wall, trellis or other structure.
Points of Interest
Ivy will climb tree trunks and can become a nuisance. It is susceptible to leaf spot and leaf burn in hot full sun areas.