Hedera helix 'Malvern' (English Ivy) — Climbing

Overview

Hedera helix 'Malvern' is a climbing climber wall shrub in the genus Hedera, part of the Araliaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Hedera helix 'Malvern' grows best in full sun, partial shade and full shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, low maintenance, banks and slopes, ground cover and wall side borders.

About

Hedera helix 'Malvern' is an evergreen climbing wall shrub that provides year-round leaf cover. It grows as a climber or ground cover and tolerates a wide range of soil types and light levels. Suitable for exposed or sheltered sites, it is hardy in most UK gardens (H5). It flowers from September to November.

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

In the garden

Hedera helix 'Malvern' is a cultivar of common ivy used where persistent evergreen coverage is required on walls, banks or as ground cover. As a member of the Araliaceae and the genus Hedera, it is deployed primarily for its climbing habit and leaf retention rather than seasonal display. Plant 'Malvern' in full sun, partial shade or full shade; it adapts to chalk, clay, loam and sand and tolerates acid, neutral and alkaline pH. It prefers well-drained or moist but well-drained soils and will perform on north-, east-, south- and west-facing aspects in both sheltered and exposed positions. The rating H5 means it is hardy in most UK gardens and does not normally require winter protection. Use this ivy on city and courtyard walls, cottage and informal plantings, wildlife gardens, banks and slopes, or as a low-maintenance ground cover and wall-side border. Flowers appear September to November, giving the plant an autumnal presence that can be worked into wildlife and late-season schemes on vertical and sloping sites.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Hedera

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

Plant details

Hedera helix 'Malvern' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Climber Wall Shrub
Habit: Climbing
Foliage: Evergreen
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Ground cover, Wall side borders

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hedera helix 'Malvern'

Propagation: Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings, Layering, Grafting
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 'Malvern'?

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

What soil does Hedera helix 'Malvern' need?

Hedera helix 'Malvern' 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.

Is Hedera helix 'Malvern' hardy in the UK?

Hedera helix 'Malvern' 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 'Malvern'?

Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings, Layering, Grafting.

More in the Hedera genus

Browse all Hedera →