11 December 2009
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Ivy, hedera

This hardy, evergreen climber has attractive, lobed leaves that come in colours ranging from light yellow to silver or green.

Recommended varieties

Ivy creates all-year interest and is useful for screening unsightly fences or providing ground cover over a large area. Plants can be trained and are also used to good effect as trailing plants in winter hanging baskets and plant displays.

Traditionally, ivy is used indoors in winter to create attractive Christmas decorations and festive wreaths. Gold and silver-leaved ivy can be draped over Christmas trees to make attractive and natural alternatives to tinsel.

Most ivy is suitable as ground cover, but colchica varieties are particularly useful thanks to their large leaves and dense, sprawling habit.

Hedera colchica: also known as Persian ivy, this has large leaves that make it ideal for ground cover. 'Dentata Variegata' is a variegated cream variety.

The following are good general-purpose varieties:

H. hibernica: also known as Irish ivy, this is one of the fastest growing varieties and is great if you want quick results.
H. helix: English ivy. Cultivars include 'Buttercup', 'Ivalace', 'Oro di bogliasco', 'Glacier', 'Adam' and 'Goldheart', which has green leaves with yellow centres.

Growing tips

Site and soil preferences

Ivy prefers well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. If your soil is acidic, add lime.

Helix and colchica varieties are hardy in the UK, but canariensis varieties can be vulnerable in extremely cold weather. Avoid planting these in frost-prone areas and exposed sites.

Light, pale yellow and silver leaved varieties prefer partial or full sun. The exception is H. helix 'Oro di bogliasco', which will tolerate shade.

Dark, green-leaved varieties are ideal for growing up north-facing walls.

Pruning

Prune in spring or early summer to check the plant's vigorous growth.

Problem solver

Ivy isn't usually susceptible to pest or disease problems.

Vigorous ivy can cause structural damage to houses and wall surfaces with its aerial roots. It can also damage gutters and paintwork, attack house foundations and smother and kill trees.

To kill over-vigorous ivy, cut through the growing stems and apply ammonium sulphamate to the trunk. Owing to the glossy nature of ivy leaves, herbicides applied to foliage - such as glyphosphate - aren't usually successful. Remove remaining aerial roots in brickwork with a wire brush.

Wear gloves when pruning ivy, as the sap can irritate skin.