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Hedera helix

Hedera helix

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IvyClimber, Perennial, EvergreenFamily: Araliaceae

Height: 10mSpread: 10m
Hardy

Attractive to wildlife

Flower colour:

White

Foliage colour:

Green

Position

Sun Exposure:

Dappled shade, full shade, full sun, partial shade

Aspect:

East facing, north facing, south facing, west facing

Position in Border:

Back

Soil

Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

English ivy, Hedera helix, has many uses all round the garden. It can be used to cover shady walls and trained to climb up or spread out along a low wall. Being evergreen, Hedera helix is perfect for covering pergola poles, or creating a leafy backdrop beneath clematis and climbing roses.

Use young plants to spill around the outsides of containers and winter hanging baskets. Hedera helix can be trimmed into shape at any time of year. It's a valuable wildlife plant, providing a late source of nectar and pollen for insects, and berries for birds in winter. Be careful when handling it if you have sensitive skin as its sap can be irritating.

Explore other varieties of Hedera helix:

Hedera helix 'Goldfinger' - a bushy, well-behaved ivy with beautiful golden foliage
Hedera colchica - a vigorous, self-clinging evergreen climber bearing dark, leathery green leaves
Hedera helix 'Halebob' - perfect for covering pergola poles, or creating a leafy backdrop beneath clematis and climbing roses

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Hedera ‘Helix’ and wildlife

Hedera ‘Helix’ is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It is a caterpillar food plant, has nectar/pollen rich flowers, provides shelter and habitat, has seeds for birds and makes a good wildlife hedge.

Is known to attract Bees

Bees

Is known to attract Beneficial insects

Beneficial insects

Is known to attract Birds

Birds

Is known to attract Butterflies/Moths

Butterflies/Moths

Is known to attract Other pollinators

Other pollinators

Is Hedera ‘Helix’ poisonous?

Hedera ‘Helix’ can be toxic.

Toxic to:

Is known to attract Cats

Cats

Is known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is known to attract Horses

Horses

No reported toxicity to:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock

Is not known to attract People

People