Ivy is the great problem-solver of the garden — the tough, evergreen, self-clinging climber and ground cover that thrives where almost nothing else will.
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Ivy is the great problem-solver of the garden — the tough, evergreen, self-clinging climber and ground cover that thrives where almost nothing else will. It clothes shady walls and fences, carpets bare and dry ground beneath trees, masks ugly features, and provides year-round green structure with effectively no care at all. Its leaves come in a surprising range — glossy dark green, gold-variegated, silver-marbled, large or small, plain or deeply lobed. Ivy is also, quietly, one of the most valuable wildlife plants there is. It carries two reputations to weigh up honestly: a fear that it "destroys walls and trees," and a tendency, with some species in some regions, to become invasive.
Hedera is a genus of evergreen woody climbers native to Europe, North Africa, and across Asia. Common or English ivy (Hedera helix) grows wild in woodlands, on cliffs, rocks, and trees, climbing toward the light and carpeting the shaded woodland floor. This origin explains its character completely: ivy is adapted to deep shade, poor and dry soils, and cool conditions, and it has two life stages — a juvenile climbing/creeping stage and a mature, bushy, flowering-and-fruiting stage. (Common ivy is considered invasive in parts of North America and elsewhere — an important point covered below.)
Ivy is an evergreen, woody-stemmed plant with two distinct phases:
Leaves range from small to large, plain green to gold-, cream-, or silver-variegated.
Extremely adaptable — ivy grows in everything from full sun to deep shade. Plain green ivies are the most shade-tolerant; variegated (gold and silver) types keep their colour better and look best with more light, and may scorch in harsh sun or lose their variegation in deep shade.
Almost any soil — ivy tolerates poor, dry, heavy, chalky, and acidic ground alike. It dislikes only permanently waterlogged conditions.
Water to establish; once growing, ivy is markedly drought-tolerant and rarely needs watering in the ground. Container-grown ivy needs occasional watering.
Generally needs no feeding — ivy grows perfectly well in poor soil.
The main "care" ivy needs is control. Trim and cut it back whenever needed, at almost any time of year, to keep it within bounds — off windows, gutters, roof lines, and out of trees you want to protect. Clipping climbing ivy also keeps it in the juvenile, flat-growing phase and prevents the heavy, bushy mature growth. Ivy tolerates hard pruning and renovation very well.
Common ivy is very hardy (commonly to around USDA zone 4–5) and fully evergreen, needing no winter protection. Some large-leaved and variegated types are a little less hardy.
Plant in autumn or spring; ivy establishes easily almost anywhere. Propagation is extremely easy — stems self-layer wherever they touch soil, and cuttings root readily. Be cautious about planting and spreading common ivy where it is classed as invasive.
Ivy is toxic. The leaves and berries of Hedera contain irritant compounds (saponins and others) and are poisonous if eaten by cats, dogs, horses, and humans, causing vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and abdominal discomfort; the berries are the more hazardous part. In addition, contact with ivy sap and foliage can cause skin irritation and allergic dermatitis in sensitive people — wearing gloves and covering up when cutting ivy is sensible. Keep pets and children from eating the leaves and berries. (Ivy's value to wildlife remains high despite its toxicity to mammals.)
Pros
Cons
Not ideal for old, cracked, or rendered walls and areas near gutters/roofs; ailing or specimen trees; small gardens unwilling to control it; regions where it is invasive; or homes where pets and children might eat the berries (without care).
Does ivy damage walls? On structurally sound masonry, ivy's clinging rootlets do not generally penetrate or damage the wall — and can even shelter it from weathering. But ivy will exploit and worsen existing cracks, loose mortar, and damaged render, and can lift weak surfaces. So keep it off old, unsound, or rendered walls, and away from gutters and roofs.
Does ivy kill trees? Ivy is not a parasite — it does not feed off the tree, and on a healthy, vigorous tree it is usually not harmful. However, heavy ivy adds weight and wind resistance and shades the canopy, which can stress a tree that is already old, weak, or ailing. It is sensible to control ivy on struggling or valued trees.
Is ivy poisonous? Yes — ivy is toxic. The leaves and especially the berries can cause vomiting and stomach upset if eaten by cats, dogs, horses, or people, and the sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Keep pets and children from eating it, and wear gloves when cutting it.
Why is my variegated ivy turning plain green? Variegated ivies lose their gold or silver colouring in too much shade and revert toward plain green. Give variegated types more light to keep their variegation; plain green ivies are the ones for deep shade.
Is ivy good for wildlife? Very — ivy is one of the best wildlife plants. Its late-autumn flowers are a crucial nectar source when little else is in bloom, its winter berries feed birds, and its dense evergreen growth provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and insects.