Ivy

Ivy is the common name for several evergreen climbing plants in the genus Hedera, in the family Araliaceae. The most widely grown species is Hedera helix, or common ivy, with other noticeable species including Hedera hibernica (Atlantic ivy) and Hedera canariensis (Canary Island ivy). These plants are perennial evergreens that use aerial rootlets to cling to surfaces and can grow as climbers, ground cover, or trailing plants.

Description and growth

Juvenile ivy leaves are typically lobed and persistent, while mature flowering shoots often bear unlobed leaves. Ivy is shade-tolerant and capable of forming dense mats that cover walls, trees, and rocks. It can spread aggressively in favorable climates, potentially shading out understory vegetation and, on trees and structures, causing physical or moisture-related damage if not managed.

Distribution and habitat

Ivy is native to parts of Europe, North Africa, and western Asia and has been widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere. In many urban and garden settings it serves as an ornamental plant, a ground cover, or a green screen, especially in shady areas.

Cultivation and uses

Common ivy and many cultivars are used for decorative climbing on walls, fences, and trellises, or as ground cover and winter interest due to their evergreen foliage. It is propagated by cuttings or layering and readily regenerates from fragments, which can complicate control in some regions. Variegated cultivars are popular in horticulture.

Ecology and management

Ivy produces small greenish flowers in late summer that are followed by black berries, dispersed mainly by birds. Berries and sap can be toxic to humans if ingested and may irritate sensitive skin. In several regions, particularly parts of North America, ivy is considered invasive, capable of suppressing native plants and altering habitats. Management typically involves careful physical removal of vines and roots, with herbicides as a secondary option, and measures to prevent spread through stored or discarded plant material.