English Ivy

English Ivy (Hedera helix) is a rapidly growing evergreen vine that can add interest to woodland gardens, where the natural spreading habit fills spaces among and under trees. You can use the ivy as a groundcover instead of mulches or hardscaping. Ivy can add natural color to fences, arbors and similar structures. In a container, English ivy fills under other plants and spills over the edge for an English cottage effect.

Low-growing English Ivy can take sun or part shade and typically reaches about 8 inches high. It is a hardy perennial plant, able to survive cold in zone 5 and heat up to zone 8 and higher, depending on how much sun it gets. Ivy can spread out to nearly 15 feet, so it is a versatile plant for screening or adding year-round color to a landscape. Ivy can provide dense groundcover that cuts down on weeds. If you are unsure about how it grows, try ivy as a container plant first.

English Ivy Care

Plant English Ivy in rich soil that has plenty of organic matter. The easy-care plant needs little help except regular watering; it likes humid conditions but can survive brief periods of drought. Roots grow up the stems, so English ivy can latch onto posts or other structures you want to cover. Just keep an eye on where it trails and cut away from any trees or structure where you don’t want the ivy to go. Prune lightly in spring for fresh, new leaf and stem growth.

English Ivy Spacing

English Ivy also is an easy-care plant to use for firescaping, adding fresh evergreen growth. Plant a couple of English Ivy vines about 10 feet apart and they will grow together for a deep green groundcover effect.