Irish ivy(Hedera hibernica) is a very graceful species. Due to the ease of cultivation and versatility of use , planting Irish ivyhas become very popular. Learn the secrets ofgrowing Irish ivy , find out how to propagate this plant the easiest way and how to recognize diseases that attack Irish ivy. Here's everything you need to know before planting Irish Ivy in your garden!
Irish ivy - Hedera hibernica
Fig. Júlio Reis, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
What does Irish ivy look like?
Irish ivy is an extremely effective evergreen vinewhich is a type of common ivy (Hedera helix). Compared to the more popular common ivy, Irish ivy grows slightly faster and has larger leaves, which undoubtedly makes this plant attractive.
DecorativeIrish ivy leavesare glossy, slightly lobed and very densely cover the surface covered with the climber. The leaves are large, up to 15 cm long, set on 20 cm petioles. During the year, Irish ivy can grow up to 50-80 cm. The flowers are small, white and not very impressive, gathered in spherical umbels, appear in September. Clinging shoots litter the ground or climb onto supports with adventitious roots growing on the shaded side of the shoot.
Irish ivy or common ivy?
Greater growth force and large leaves of Irish ivyis a tempting proposition for those looking for an evergreen climber that is to quickly cover large areas.The disadvantage of Irish ivy, compared to common ivy, is that it is less resistant to frost. That is why in PolandIrish ivy is a good choice only for sheltered from the wind and warm places, mainly with southern exposureAvoid growing Irish ivy in cool north-eastern Poland.
Irish ivy - Hedera hibernica
Fig. Júlio Reis, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Irish ivy - varieties
There arevarieties of Irish ivy for sale , such as:
Irish ivy 'Anne Marie'- has large bright green leaves up to 12.5 cm long. They have a cream discoloration at the edges. This variety grows up to a height of 5 m.
Irish ivy 'Arbori Compact'- this is a slow growing variety of Irish ivy, the annual growth of which does not exceed 40 - 50 cm.Shiny dark green leaves are heart-shaped with rounded tips. Thus, they differ significantly from typical ivy leaves in appearance. In autumn, the umbellate inflorescences of 'Arbori Compact' also look attractive, gathering small, spherical, green-yellow flowers with yellow anthers. These flowers are an autumn attraction for bees.
Irish ivy 'Deltoidea'- this variety of Irish ivy has broad heart-shaped, dark green leaves up to 10 cm long. They turn dark purple in winter. This plant grows up to a height of 5 m.
Irish ivy - planting
Irish ivy is an ideal plant for gardens in citiesdue to its high resistance to environmental pollution and the salinity of the ground.
The place where Irish ivy is plantedshould be at least partially shaded and sheltered from winds due to insufficient frost resistance of this plant (plant frost resistance zone 6A).For this reason,planting Irish ivyis not recommended in the coldest regions of Poland. Irish ivy grows best in permeable and slightly calcareous soils.
Due to its extremely intensive growthHedera hibernica is perfect for covering walls, pergolas, gazebos and covering horizontal surfacesIrish ivy planted along a fence mesh can be an alternative to traditional fencing with a hedge. Plants of this species are also excellent shade perennials.
The deadline for planting Irish ivy is spring or fallThe seedlings are equally well suited to both of these dates. The choice of the appropriate spacing depends on the effect we want to achieve. Place plants at 0.8-1 m intervals by walls and pergolas. If we use ivy as a ground cover and want to create a green carpet on the ground, we will need 4-5 cuttings per square meter.After planting the plants, additional fertilization should not be carried out, as it may lead to weakening of their shoots.
Irish ivy - cultivation
Irish ivy has low fertilization requirementsIt is enough to add some compost to the ground before planting, and in March or April supply the plants with a slow-acting compound fertilizer. Nitrogen-rich fertilizers will encourage Irish ivy to grow rapidly and produce large numbers of leaves.
Hedera hibernica is not fully resistant to frost, and its clinging roots freeze easilyTherefore, in regions with harsher climate, it usually spreads on the ground. However, in spring, the plant quickly bounces back both from the root and from the shoots. In snow-free, dry winters, it is beneficial to water the plants during the thaw, but remember not to overdo it.
Irish ivy responds well to thepruning that can be done in the spring to accelerate growth.In young plants, pruning the ends of the shoots promotes their faster growth and branching. In spring, we should also remove all frozen, dry or damaged shoots.
Irish ivy - Hedera hibernica
Fig. Wouter Hagens, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Irish ivy - growing in a pot
Irish ivy can also be successfully grown indoorsHowever, potted ivy grows less intensively than the one planted in the garden. It is worth remembering that in home cultivation, ivy with green leaves do not require much light and may occupy the least sunny parts of the room, while varieties with colorful leaves need a sunny position. Otherwise, they lose their attractive coloration.
It is necessary to pay attention to the properwatering of Irish ivy , which does not tolerate the shed substrate.In summer, when the temperature rises, we water the ivy twice a week, while in winter it is enough once a week or less. The plant should also be sprayed, because when the air humidity is too low and the substrate is dry, the leaves dry up. Leaf changes will also appear when we overflow the plant. When the ivy is shed, the leaves will turn black.
IfIrish ivy is grown in a pot on a patio or balcony , it should be transplanted into a larger pot at least once every 2-3 years.
Irish ivy - reproduction
Irish ivy belongs to the climbers that are very easy to propagate vegetatively , creating herbaceous cuttings. It is best to start this task at the turn of summer and fall. We divide the selected shoot into several 10 cm long sections, each of which contains 1-2 nodes. The lower leaves are removed from the seedling obtained in this way, and then the end of the shoot is immersed in the rooting plant and placed in a pot filled with a substrate for seedlings to a depth of 3 cm.
Irish ivy seedlings take about 2 weeks to take root . Then we transplant them into pots with soil. Store the prepared seedlings in a place sheltered from the sun, cool (0-10 ° C) with constant substrate moisture.
Domestic varieties of ivy with colorful leaves in winter should be kept at a temperature of about 10-15 ° C, and those with green color at a temperature of 5-10 ° C. If we are unable to maintain such thermal conditions, it is good to place the plants in a light place (but not directly in the sun). Otherwise, they will become very exuberant. Water the young ivy sparingly and sprinkle it every few days.
A simplerway to reproduceIrish ivy is by layering. Place the shoot of the plant on the ground and cover it with soil in several places. Then we cut off the already rooted fragments and we have ready cuttings.
When the spring frosts are over, that is, from the second half of May, we can plant seedlings into the ground.
Irish ivy - diseases and pests
Phytophthora is one of the most dangerous diseases of Irish ivyAs a result of infection with phytophthora, brown spots appear around the perimeter and towards the tip of the shoot. Entire shoots may die, sometimes only single ones, while other shoots of the same plant appear completely he althy. Lower leaves may turn brown and curl. They do not fall off, but remain so on the stem. Brown or black irregular spots may appear on the surface of the leaves. After the plant has been dug up, you can see root rot and necrotic changes on the roots. This is because it is through the roots that phytophthora enters the plant.
The biological preparation Polyversum WP and the fungicides Magnicur Energy 840 SL, Proplant 722 SL, Scorpion 325 SC can be used to combat phytophthorosis. The plant should be watered and sprayed with these preparations.
Anotherdisease of Irish ivy is rot , which often accompanies the phytophthora described above. After taking the plant out of the container, you can see easily disintegrating brown roots, of which only a white, thread-like axial cylinder remains.
Thering spotcan be equally dangerous, very characteristic because of the zoned, drying spots. Theivy anthracnosemanifested by brown or brown spots up to 1 cm in diameter on the leaves, often with dark edges, should not be underestimated either. On their surface, small, dark clusters of fungus sporulation are sometimes visible. Pathogens can also develop on the stems, which form elongated, brown, slightly sunken patches.
Bacterial ivy blotchis often confused with anthracnose or ring blotch. The spots are brown, later brown, round or oval with a slightly ragged edge, sometimes with a light yellow border. With a large number of stains, the leaves dry up.
Irish ivy diseases with a fungal basiscan be combated with Topsin M 500 SC or other fungicides designed to protect ornamental plants against diseases.We should also remember that prophylaxis is very important, consisting in removing the infected parts of the plant as soon as disease symptoms are noticed. In order to limit the use of spraying with chemical preparations, it is worth using the natural preparation Biosept Active in the first place in the case of a mild disease infection, which strengthens the plants and makes them resistant to diseases.
The most commonpest of Irish ivyis the spider mite. By feeding on ivy, it causes tiny, mosaic-like yellow spots on the leaves. With a very strong control of the spider mite, a cobweb appears on the tips of the ivy leaves, the leaves turn yellow and fall off. We will help the plant by spraying with a natural insecticide Emulpar 940 EC. If this proves to be insufficient, you can reach for Karate Gold.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
