Hedera helix (common ivy) — Climbing

Overview

Hedera helix is a climbing climber wall shrub in the genus Hedera, part of the Araliaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 8-12 metres tall and 2.5-4 metres wide, reaching full size in around 10-20 years. Hedera helix grows best in full shade, full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. It is drought resistant and low maintenance. Suggested uses include ground cover, climber, wildlife gardens, low maintenance, banks and slopes and wall side borders. It is native to Albania, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark and East Aegean Is..

About

Hedera helix, simply ivy, or common ivy, English ivy, European ivy, King's choice ivy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Araliaceae. It is native to most of Europe and parts of western Asia. Ivy is a clinging evergreen vine that grows on tree trunks, walls, and fences in gardens, waste spaces, and wild habitats. Ivy is popular as an ornamental plant, but escaped plants have become naturalised outside its native range. It grows to around 8-12 metres tall and 2.5-4 metres wide, carrying evergreen foliage. Grow it in full shade, full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hedera helix

About the genus

Hedera, commonly called ivy, is a genus of 12–15 species of evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plants in the family Araliaceae, native to Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa and across central-southern Asia east to Japan and Taiwan. Several species are cultivated as climbing ornamentals, and the name ivy especially denotes common ivy, known in North America as "English ivy", which is frequently planted to clothe brick walls.

Wikipedia contributors, "Hedera", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hedera

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Hedera

Sunlight: Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H5

Plant details

Hedera helix size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Climber Wall Shrub
Habit: Climbing
Foliage: Evergreen
Height: 8-12 metres
Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Time to full height: 10-20 years
Suggested uses: Ground cover, Climber, Wildlife gardens, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Wall side borders
Native to: Albania, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hedera helix

Propagation: Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistance: Glasshouse red spider mite, Scale insects, Vine weevil, Aphids
Disease resistance: Honey fungus, Leaf spot

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Hedera helix?

Hedera helix prefers full shade, full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Hedera helix need?

Hedera helix is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.

How big does Hedera helix grow?

Hedera helix reaches a height of 8-12 metres and a spread of 2.5-4 metres. It takes around 10-20 years to reach full size.

Is Hedera helix hardy in the UK?

Hedera helix has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.

How do I propagate Hedera helix?

Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.

More in the Hedera genus

Browse all Hedera →