Overview
Hedera helix 'Very Merry' is a climbing, trailing climber wall shrub in the genus Hedera, part of the Araliaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Hedera helix 'Very Merry' grows best in full shade, full sun and partial 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, houseplants and patio and container plants.
About
Hedera helix 'Very Merry' is an evergreen climber and trailing cultivar of Hedera helix, valued for its persistent foliage and ability to cover structures or spill from containers. It suits a wide range of aspects and light levels, tolerating full shade through to full sun. Plant in a moist but well-drained soil and position where it will be sheltered. 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 'Very Merry' is a named form of Hedera helix (family Araliaceae) grown for its climbing and trailing habit and year-round leaves. It is an evergreen that will scramble up a wall or cascade from a pot, establishing a dense cover where given support or room to spread. Give 'Very Merry' a sheltered spot; it tolerates full shade, partial shade and full sun, and will grow in east-, west-, north- or south-facing positions. Soil is not fussy provided it is well drained — it grows on chalk, clay, loam or sand and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. The plant is rated H5 (hardy), so it withstands typical seasonal frosts encountered where hardy cultivars are recommended. Use this ivy on courtyard walls, as a container drape on patios, or as a houseplant trained over supports. It also fits cottage and informal planting schemes when a persistent, climbing evergreen is required. Expect flowering to occur from September to November on established shoots.
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
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Hedera helix 'Very Merry' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub
- Habit
- Climbing, Trailing
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Houseplants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Hedera helix 'Very Merry'
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings at any time, semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings from late summer to late winter, layering or grafting at any time
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, vine weevil and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and a leaf spot
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Hedera helix 'Very Merry'?
Hedera helix 'Very Merry' prefers full shade, full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Hedera helix 'Very Merry' need?
Hedera helix 'Very Merry' 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 'Very Merry' hardy in the UK?
Hedera helix 'Very Merry' 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 'Very Merry'?
Propagate by softwood cuttings at any time, semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings from late summer to late winter, layering or grafting at any time.
More in the Hedera genus
- Hedera helix 'Gold Dust' (v)English Ivy
- Hedera helix 'Malvern'English Ivy
- Hedera helix 'Rauschgold' (v)English Ivy
- Hedera helix 'Renton Gold'English Ivy
- Hedera helix 'Spear Point'English Ivy
- Hedera hibernica (Hibernica Group) 'Ebony'Atlantic Ivy