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HEDERA helix f. poetarum

Image of Hedera helix f. poetarum

Family

Araliaceae

Botanical Name

HEDERA helix f. poetarum

Plant Common Name

Italian Ivy, Poet's Ivy

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

English ivy is a hardy, evergreen vine or groundcover. As a vine, it attaches itself by aerial rootlets to masonry walls and other surfaces such as tree trunks.

European in origin, it has glossy, dark green leaves with a prominently lobed, maple-like shape. As plants grow aerially, they develop bushier, more mature growth and develop sharper, triangular leaves with no lobes. There are hundreds of cultivars are available, most with beautifully variegated leaves of various shapes, colors and sizes.

English ivy is dioecious, meaning that single plants produce either male or female flowers. Mature plants put forth inconspicuous pale yellow-green blooms in summer and female plants produce black, berry-like fruits late in the season. These fruits are eaten and spread by birds.

Vigorous and easy to grow, English ivy can tolerate full sun to shade, though partial shade is recommended in hot climates, and prefers fertile soil with good drainage. This often aggressive vine may become invasive. It can be particularly detrimental to trees and can cause premature decline or death if allowed to grow up and overtake them.

English ivy is grown primarily for its lush foliage, which forms a cool, green cover on walls or ground. It looks great in containers and hanging baskets or can be sheared and trained as topiary.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 6

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    3 - 10

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Vine/Liana

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade

  • Height

    20'-90' / 6.1m - 27.4m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall

  • Native To

    Europe, Northern Europe, Russia/Siberia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam

  • Tolerances

    Pollution

  • Growth Rate

    Very Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Vining/Climbing

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Light Green

  • Fruit Color

    Dark Blue, Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Light Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Rock Garden / Wall, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Vine

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Yes

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes