Common ivy Hedera helix is the only representative of the araliaceae family and the only native vine with winter-hardy leaves. It grows in forests where it is protected by law.The vitality and strength of ivy growth are admirable.
With the annual growth of shoots, an approximately one meter long climber can quickly become a natural cover for a house wall, cover an unattractive wall surface or green and embellish a simple trellis or column structure.
Ivy is admirable not only when it moves up quickly.It produces numerous, fine, clinging roots along the entire length of its shoots. They are excellent organs for stiffening and keeping the shoots in one place, e.g. when a creeping variety acts as a ground cover plant.
Ivy has a distinct advantage over other ground cover.It performs well even in dry and heavily shaded places under trees.Withstands close proximity to constantly thirsty birch and large maples with shallow roots , growing just below the soil surface.
Evergreen ivy amazes not only with acrobatic abilities or the ability to live in difficult conditions, but also with the richness of its forms. Its species and varieties differ in size and shape, as well as the color and drawing of the leaves.
You should know that both common ivy and Hedera colchica are a bit sensitive to frost.Leaves and shoots may suffer even when the temperature drops a few degrees below zero.Varieties with very fine leaves are most susceptible to freezing.
Both species grow best in semi-shaded and shaded places. The quality of the soil is of little importance to them, they only do not tolerate very dry, very acidic or alkaline soil. Basically they differ only in the strength of growth.
Common ivy can reach a height of 20 m. On the other hand, the stems of colchis ivy are about 6 m long. The exception is the shrub colchica Hedera colchica 'Arborescens'.Its shoots do not creep and creep, but form a dense hemispherical shrub up to 1.5 m high.Older specimens are the prettiest, covered with lush flowers and then fruit.
The most beautiful ivy
1. Hedera colchica has larger leaves than Hedera helix.
2. Dwarf 'Erecta' variety of common ivy with erect, non-stick shoots looks great in containers.
3. 'Plattensee' ivy gains a brownish-violet color in the winter sun.
4. 'Green Ripple' ivy has strongly cut five-flap leaves.
5. 'Dentata Variegata' colchis ivy is distinguished by white-edged leaves, even 15 cm wide.
6. 'Gold-heart' is a type of common ivy, therefore its green-yellow leaves are small.
7. Canary ivy 'Gloire de Marengo' survives only in sheltered places in regions with mild winters.
8. 'Goldchild' ivy may freeze in winter, but it feels good in pots.
