Hedera helix 'ARBORI COMPACT' shrubby English ivy
Hedera
Ivies are the top popular climbing evergreen plants used for hiding old walls, pergolas, and fences, or as ground covers under the trees. There are many species and varieties of which some of the most spectacular ones are too tender for our climate. However, we still managed to put together a good range of those that are fully hardy and beautiful at the same time. So, check them out!When a shrubby version of ivy was discovered it was a breakthrough. A non-climbing ivy with even more attractive foliage was an entirely different plant that could be used in various ways unlike a climber. Now there is an improvement over this invention – a dwarf version of shrubby ivy, even more cute and possibly twice as dense. It was named Arbori Compact.
It boasts handsome, highly glossy, deep green, and conspicuously veined, evergreen foliage that does look like those on a normal ivy but lacks any tips and is almost rounded. It grows slowly into a mounding shrub about 30-40 cm tall and twice as wide. In autumn appears a profusion of small flowers composed in spherical umbels. They attract various winged insects, mostly flies, and are followed by small black berries.
Without a support it will form a regular shrub, however, if you plant it near a wall or another plant with firm branches this ivy will remember what it used to be like, and will slowly start climbing them, keeping its erect habit, flowering and leaf shape.
It prefers moist but well-drained, alkaline soil but will grow in nearly any soil type, sun or shade. It can be pruned in any way, preferably in spring. The plant is toxic in large doses. It is fully hardy to min. -27°C (USDA zone 5).
Last update 11-11-2021
