Family: Araliaceae
Common name: English ivy, Common ivy, European ivy, Algerian ivy, King’s Choice ivy, California ivy, Ivy, Hedera acuta, Hedera arborea, Hedera baccifera, Hedera grandifolia, Baltic ivy, Sweetheart ivy, Bindwood, Branchind ivy, Lovestone, Glacier Ivy, Hahn’s Self Branching English Ivy, Needlepoint Ivy
English Ivy is a sturdy, evergreen climber or creeper that can grow in temperate as well as tropical weather, as a hardy ornamental plant. They are native to Europe, but can be now seen in most continents, growing in gardens and also in the wild.
Plant Characteristics
English Ivy plants can grow to a height of 20-30 meters climbing on fences, trellises, supporting structures, walls, or surrounding vegetation. They can also trail along the ground forming dense mats because of their capability to root at the nodes.
These plants grow rapidly, covering large areas and hence they are considered invasive in different countries. The stem has a reddish or purple tint and is capable of coiling itself around supporting structures.
While growing on the walls, the adventitious roots that grow from the nodes, produce tiny root hairs that secrete a glue-like substance that hardens and sticks the stem to the wall. This helps the plant grow and cover smooth vertical surfaces like compound walls.
While growing on the ground, the stems of English Ivy will root at the nodes helping the plant grow rapidly covering large areas, creating ‘ivy deserts’ since they choke all other plants, preventing their growth.
English Ivy leaves are dark green, shiny, glossy, and leathery with a characteristic lobed shape that is typical of Ivy plants. Lobes vary in number from 3 to 5, sometimes shallow and sometimes deep, depending on the cultivar and the age of the plant.
Leaves are 8-10 cm in diameter and about as wide, with a shiny finish. They can be variegated or plain, dark green or light green, streaked with yellow or white, depending on the cultivar. The most popular cultivars are Glacier, Buttercup, White Knight, Midas touch, Goldchild, Duckfoot, and more.
English Ivy flowers are pale yellow or green in color, produced in small clusters. They are 3-4 cm in diameter with distinct petals, and are not as flamboyant as the leaves. Hence these plants are mostly grown as ornamental foliage plants. Flowering happens in fall or winter, the plant is capable of withstanding temperatures up to -20° Celsius.
English Ivy plants also produce berry-like fruits that are intially green, later turning deep red and purple as they ripen. These fruits contain one to five small seeds, which are eaten by birds and small animals. Fruiting is not very common in garden plants.
Gardening Tips
English Ivy plants are quite hardy, capable of tolerating extreme weather and soil conditions, growing in hot, humid environments and cold, wintry environments. They prefer good sunlight though harsh sunlight can scorch the leaves. These plants can grow well in partial, filtered sunlight under large trees.
They thrive with regular watering and fertilization, but they are tolerant of drought and neglect. Providing a stake or supporting structure can help the plant climb, and not disturb surrounding plants.
They can be grown in pots or hanging baskets, both equally beautiful and elegant. While growing English Ivy plants in flowerbeds, trim them to ensure that the plants don’t grow rampant, killing the surrounding vegetation.
Growing English ivy plants on the walls of the house can help regulate temperature and keep the interiors cooler, but it can also create small cracks in the structure and leave unsightly growth lines when they are removed.
Uses of English Ivy
English Ivy plants are usually grown as ornamentals on fences, trellises, or even on walls because of their evergreen foliage. They have medicinal uses in the treatment of skin diseases, rheumatism, bronchitis, respiratory infections, and more.
But the most important thing to note is that parts of the plant contain toxicity, and can cause diarrhea and vomiting in humans and pets. So do not self-medicate with any part of the English Ivy plant.
English Ivy plants make excellent ground covers to prevent erosion of precious topsoil. They can cover large areas very quickly, holding the soil tight with their fibrous roots. These plants also provide shade and shelter for small animals and insects that live under them.
Twigs of the English Ivy are used in making dyes, and a decoction of the leaves is used to restore black color in fabrics and hair. Leaves, when boiled with water can make soap substitutes.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
Since seeds are not very common in garden plants, propagation through stem cuttings is more effective. Remove a small piece of stem with a few nodes, and place them in water or moist soil to grow roots. This can happen in 5-6 days after which the plant can be moved to its actual location, where it can grow and thrive.
Photographed at: Sobha Petunia, Bangalore; Covent garden, London
