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
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 10
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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
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Plant Type
Vine/Liana
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
20'-90' / 6.1m - 27.4m
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Bloom Time
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
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Native To
Europe, Northern Europe, Russia/Siberia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Tolerances
Pollution
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Growth Rate
Very Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Vining/Climbing
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Yellow, Light Green
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Fruit Color
Dark Blue, Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Rock Garden / Wall, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Vine
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Yes
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Attracts
Birds
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Self-Sowing
Yes