Vines - Part 5 - Ivy

TheHedera helix subspecies helix is known as English ivy or common ivy and has a range quite similar to the species. Other subspecies include:

• hibernica (Irish ivy or Atlantic ivy), native to Europe, Ireland and the UK and widely cultivated. This is provisionally listed as being a separate species in Flora Europaea.

• poetarum, the poet's ivy or Italian ivy, which ranges through temperate Asia, Turkey, Europe, Greece and Italy, including Sicily. Synonyms: Hedera taurica, Hedera chrysocarpa.

There are, seemingly, countless cultivars who vary in leaf coloring and form to an amazing degree. This is a variable plant, as you will see. Most cultivars are the result of mutations, not intentional breeding, although I understand more of this is being done.

The name Hedera means ivy while helix means "twining", which does not refer to the method of climbing, but to the way the leaf attaches to the stem.

Where Does It Grow?

Exploding Myths

Ivies are woody plants that will cover ground until they find something to climb, when they will attach themselves via root-like hold fasts. Contrary to wide-spread myth, ivy does not damage trees or sound structures. It isn't a parasite. It could smother a small tree if not pruned, but it does absolutely no harm to a mature specimen. It can outlive a tree, giving the impression that it's killing it when in reality the tree is succumbing to old age. Nor does it harm buildings if they are sound. It can get under shingles and push them up as it grows and thickens and the weight can pull off stucco that's not firmly attached, but the holdfasts do no structural damage. In fact, it can protect a building from weather and provide extra insulation.

Ivy can be grown in many ways; outside or inside as a houseplant. If you like to play with plants, you can train it in many forms - ivy topiary can be fun. It's used in bonsai and can be trained as a tree.