Common Ivy
Hedera helix
Bentwood, Bindwood, Common English Ivy, English Ivy, Ivory, Ivy, Ivy Gum Plant, Love United
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Ivy is a great ground-cover plant, often used to hide unsightly walls and buildings where it also serves as a natural insulator. It prefers to grow in shade, making it a common sight in woodland, and perfect for winter gardens. The evergreen leaves are often used in decorations - even used in Christmas wreaths.
This plant is an important source of food for birds and bees in autumn and winter, it is part of the Royal Horticultural Society “Plants for Pollinators” initiative to showcase plants which support pollinator populations by providing ample amounts of nectar and/ or pollen. A great choice for encouraging pollinating insect wildlife into your garden!
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Related Plants
Planning
Difficulty
Easy
Flowering time
Autumn
Fruiting time
Autumn, Winter
Harvesting
Generally not harvested
Propagation
Seed
Seeds can be scattered in moist, shady areas in early spring.
Cuttings
Removing the stem, leaf or root of the ivy and planting in moist soil will allow a new plant to grow. This is the most successful and easiest method of propagation.
Layering
Allow a growing shoot to touch soil - by covering with with a bit of soil or rock, it will send roots from nodes underground. As soon as it is well-rooted, cut from the otherplant and replant.
Special features
Attracts birds
The fruits are an important food source for birds in late Autumn and Winter.
Attracts useful insects
Many insects use the dense foliage as shelter over Winter.
Ground cover
Attracts bees
Special features
Origin
Europe, Western Asia
Natural climate
Temperate shade areas
Environment
Light
Partial Sun, Full Shade, Full Sun
Soil moisture
Moist
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil PH preference
Neutral, Acid, Alkaline
Frost hardiness
Hardy
Uses
Decoration
Popular greening decoration for functions and special events - the leaves are hardy and will not wilt too quickly.
Notes
A low maintenance plant that is an excellent ground cover plant for banks/slopes/under shrubs/trees. It can also be trained through wire fencing or up trellis/wooden fencing to create an attractive living screen. Suits wildlife friendly gardens as well as cottage garden styles.
Personality
Family
Araliaceae
Flower colour
Yellow, White, Green
Scent
Mild
Problems
Generally pest and disease free.
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Knowledge and advice
Search our ever-growing knowledge base to find plants and information. Find out about pests and diseases you should be keeping an eye out for. Watch How to videos or follow step by step guides for tasks in the garden.
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