English ivy (Hedera helix) is a perennial vine that is evergreen, aggressive, and fast-growing.
Growth habit
The glossy, dark green leaves alternate along the stem. The leaf shape varies, but it is often three-lobed with a heart-shaped base. Mature leaves can be spade-shaped and without lobes. It can be used as a dense groundcover (in its juvenile stage) or as a climbing vine (adult stage). Dense foliage prevents other plants from growing because it blocks sunlight. By loosening the bark and trapping moisture against the trunk, heavy vines inflict harm and death to mature trees, creating an ideal environment for fungal disease and decay. In wind, snow, and freezing conditions, heavy vines can bring down trees. The disease bacterial leaf scorch, which affects maples, oaks, and elms, is spread by English ivy.
Conditions that favor growth
Although it prefers semi-shady, moist soil, it can be found in a variety of settings, including woodlands, fields, forest borders, roadsides, and coastal locations. It also grows on building facades, causing damage.
Additional resources
Wallace Kaufman, Sylvan Ramsey, and Sylvan Ramsey Kaufman. 2007. Invasive Plants: Identification, Impacts, and Control of Common North American Species (Invasive Plants: Identification, Impacts, and Control of Common North American Species) (Invasive Plants: Identification,
J. Swearingen, K. Reshetiloff, B. Slattery, and S. Zwicker. J. Swearingen, K. Reshetiloff, B. Slattery, and S. Zwicker. 2002. Plant Invaders in Natural Areas of the Mid-Atlantic. Washington, DC: National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
3/2018, University of Maryland Extension, compiled by Christa Carignan and reviewed by Debra Ricigliano
Does English ivy lose its leaves in winter?
The mild environment found in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 9 is ideal for English ivy (Hedera helix) and its near relatives, Persian (Hedera colchica) and Algerian (Hedera canariensis). Although individual leaves die and fall off sometimes, these plants are evergreen and do not lose their foliage in the winter. Ivy thrives in moderate shade and moist, rich soil. The leaves remain bright green or variegated all year under these conditions. In hot, dry conditions, the leaves may become burned and fall.
Does English ivy stay green all year?
English ivy, also known as common ivy or Hedera helix, is a climbing evergreen plant that thrives in cold and low-light environments. You’ve probably seen it growing up ancient building walls before (1).
The plant is popular among gardeners because it stays green all year and forms a lovely ground cover.
The plant is native to Europe, but it has since spread throughout the United States and the rest of the world. English ivy grows well in dark forest clearings, as well as on cliffs and slopes with fertile, damp soil (1, 2).
Aside from being attractive, English ivy may also provide some health benefits. It’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, and it’s been used as a herbal remedy to treat (3):
Is English ivy an evergreen vine?
Hedera helix (English ivy) is a robust, fast-growing, evergreen perennial that shines as a climbing vine or trailing ground cover because of its capacity to flourish in shaded areas. English ivy comes in two varieties: a juvenile form that climbs or spreads via aerial rootlets and produces lobed dark green leaves on non-flowering stems, and a mature form that produces unlobed dark green leaves on rootless stems that produce round clusters of greenish-white flowers in the fall, followed by yellow-orange to black berries. In the winter, ivy berries provide a vital source of food for hungry birds. They will survive till spring if not eaten and offer food for fledgling birds.
Ivy is ideal for winter gardens since it is evergreen and prefers to grow in the shadow. It may also be used to cover garden buildings. Ivy is not a parasite, it rarely harms healthy trees, and it rarely causes damage to structures or walls.
English ivy is a famous ornamental plant native to Europe that is considered an invasive species in Australia, New Zealand, and the western United States. While the species is the most common, there are numerous lovely cultivars with both deeply cut and variegated foliage that are less vigorous than the species to choose from.
- It can reach a height of 20-30 feet (6-9 meters) and a width of 15 feet (4.5 m). The stems of this perennial plant spread by rooting at the nodes where they come into contact with the soil.
- It prefers part- to full-shade and grows best in fertile, medium-moisture, well-drained soils. This plant isn’t picky about soil and can thrive in a variety of environments. Tolerates direct sunlight. Although it has some drought resistance, its foliage color is best when the soil is evenly moist. Provide protection from the cold, dry winds.
- Hedera helix is a multipurpose plant that works well as a groundcover, as well as climbing ugly walls, fences, and garden structures, or in hanging baskets.
- It is a deer and rabbit resistant perennial that is durable, low-maintenance, and forgiving.
What do you do with English ivy in winter?
With trailing vines flowing over the sides and clinging tendrils climbing trellises and arbors, container-grown ivy plants make attractive aesthetic objects. The majority of ivy can be left outside during the winter, however containerized ivy should be brought inside during a deep frost.
What ivy is evergreen?
Hedera helix (English ivy) is an evergreen plant. It’s also referred to as a woody vine. English ivy can be used as a ground cover because it spreads horizontally and grows to a height of 8 inches. It is also a climber, thanks to its aerial rootlets, which allow it to reach a height of 80 feet. Although the plant may eventually produce small greenish blooms, it is primarily grown for its evergreen leaves. Ivy is regarded as a foliar plant in this aspect. Spring is the optimum time to plant English ivy. It’s a fast-growing, aggressive plant that’s deemed invasive in a lot of places. Because English ivy is harmful to humans and animals, keep an eye on youngsters and pets.
What does ivy look like in winter?
Time limit. The English ivy keeps its green leaves throughout the winter, but the Boston ivy only does so in warmer climates with mild winters. The leaves of Boston ivy turn scarlet and purple before falling off the plant in the autumn.
What is the fastest growing evergreen climbing plant?
Depending on the growing conditions, each plant can reach a size of 4-8 meters by 0.5-1 meter. The leaves are lustrous, wide, and black. They are effective as pure foliage. In the summer, you’ll be rewarded with fragrant yellow and red blossoms, followed by black berries.
Although Lonicera henryi appears delicate, it is actually fairly hardy.
It will grow in full sun or partial shade, and while it prefers a shady spot, it can tolerate being exposed. It will also thrive in almost any soil with adequate drainage.
Is ivy winter hardy?
Since you planted it in June, your Boston Ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspitata, has thrived. It is winter hardy in our climate, although it may use extra protection because it is young and growing in a planter. Ivy uses tendrils to adhere to a surface, such as your fence or patio stones. They will not stick to the surface once you have removed them. For the winter, you should leave them in place. Your begonias should be removed from the planters. They are not hardy and will perish if exposed to frost.
In the winter, Boston Ivy loses its leaves and goes dormant. If you want to prune it, do it in the late winter.
During the winter, the roots should be protected.
Mulch, styrofoam, and straw bales are all good insulators. Before it freezes, the soil should be moist. After the first hard frost, add the insulation.
Insulating ivy in huge pots is covered in detail in a recent piece on our website.
What are the best evergreen climbers?
Climbing plants can climb in a variety of ways. Some ‘real climbers’ use self-clinging aerial roots that cling to walls and fences to climb. They may require assistance at first, but after that, they will romp around on their own. Other real climbers rely on twining stems for support and require a trellis or wires to ascend. Wall shrubs are unique in that they do not ‘climb’ but rather require vertical support, such as a trellis or wires.
Sunny or shady: choosing the right climber
It’s crucial to know which way a wall, fence, or screen faces because many climbers and wall plants are picky about how much sun or shade they get. There are plants for every scenario, from total shade to scorching heat, but finding the correct one for the appropriate spot is crucial to success. Because a wall generates a mini-microclimate with a storage-heater effect to shield plants from the cold, walls that get sun for all or part of the day are ideal for growing plants that wouldn’t be hardy elsewhere.
Tips for planting climbers
- Climbers can expedite degeneration if the mortar on the walls is cracking.
- To ensure that the climber has the greatest possible growing circumstances, thoroughly prepare the soil and add plenty of soil improvers such as compost or well-rotted manure.
- Avoid the ‘rain shadow,’ which is the region directly beneath a wall or fence that is sheltered from rain but too dry for most plants to thrive. To avoid it, plant the rootball at least 30 cm away from the wall/fence.
- For the first growth season, water thoroughly after planting and during dry spells. Do you require a new hose? Our experts put a variety of hoses through their paces to find the best garden hoses, as well as a roundup of the best watering cans.
Check out our list of the top evergreen climbers and wall shrubs for your yard.
Is ivy an evergreen Zone 6?
Lonicera sempirvirens (Trumpet Honeysuckle) Hardy in zones 6-9, full sun, semi-evergreen in zone 6.
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) Hardy in zones 610, full sun to partial shade, semi-evergreen in zone 6.
Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) Part shade-shade, evergreen, hardy in zones 6-9.
Bignonia capreolata (Tangerine Beauty Crossvine) Hardy in zones 6-9, full sun, semi-evergreen in zone 6.
Akebia quinata (Five-leaf Akebia) Hardy in zones 59, fullpart sun, semi-evergreen in zones 5 and 6.