Hedera helix
Common Green Ivy
Common Green Ivy, Hedera helix, is a native climbing plant that will grow almost anywhere. It is ideal for very shady sites with poor soil and can be used as ground cover or as screening. It can grow up trees and walls to about 15-20 metres, although old plants in sunny, fertile sites can go even higher. Green Ivy plants are only delivered pot-grown, year round as are all the ivy plants for sale on this site
Ivy as Ground Cover:
Plant at 18" / 45cm spacing to get a thick blanket of Ivy quickly.
Making an Ivy Hedge:
Old ivy plants become very woody and can support themselves almost as well as any shrub. All you need to make an ivy hedge is a temporary fence made of the cheapest wood you can find for the Ivy to grow over. By the time the fence has begun to rot, the ivy will have formed a woody cage over it that is self-supporting. This is usually done to make quite low, decorative borders. It will still work for taller projects, but the end result will not be hugely strong: if a heavy person tried to climb over it, it might collapse.
General description of Hedera helix plants:
A very useful ground cover plant that will grow in dry soil and deep shade. Ivy is a powerful climber. Contrary to some rumours, it will not damage brickwork unless a house is very old and crumbly. It will also not directly damage trees that it grows up, but it might compete with them for light and soil nutrients enough to weaken the trees.
Ivy flowers and fruits in the winter months, attracting wildlife to your garden.
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