About
A vigorous, self-clinging climber with three- to five-lobed, glossy, evergreen leaves, often with pale green veins, and some reddish or bronzy colours in autumn. Mature plants produce bushy, non-clinging branches with diamond-shaped leaves, and small, nectar-rich, greenish-yellow flowers in clusters of rounded heads in autumn, followed by black berries in winter. An important wildlife plant, providing food, shelter and nest sites for many birds, insects and small mammals.
About the genus
Hedera are evergreen climbing shrubs clinging by aerial roots. Clusters of small yellow-green flowers are followed by usually black berries. Foliage of flowering shoots is often less deeply lobed than that of the sterile, climbing shoots
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurope, W Asia
ToxicityHarmful if eaten: skin irritant/allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten, skin irritant/allergen. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationTolerant of a range of soils and conditions, ivy grows best in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, alkaline soil in a sheltered spot; see hedera (ivy) cultivation. As a tough, long-lived plant, with the ability to spread rapidly, it is not always welcome. However it can be tolerated, even encouraged, in many garden situations such as ground cover in deep shade, or masking an ugly fence. See ivy on buildings and fences, and ivy on trees and as groundcover for more information
PruningPruning group 11 at any time
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. Cuttings from adult growth will produce shrubby, non-climbing plants
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, vine weevil and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and a leaf spot