Hedera helix 'ARBORESCENS'

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!

“Arborescens” is a shrubby ivy that represents an adult stage of common ivy hedera helix. It means that it stopped climbing and started flowering. The leaves are glossy, bright green when young and turning to dark green as they mature. They are diamond-shaped with one pointed tip against the stalk, and two rounded tips at the sides. Flowers are borne in regular spherical umbels. They come out in early autumn and attract butterflies and other insects, and are followed by small black berries.

Without a support it will form a neat, dense shrub with erect woody branches, about 1.5m tall and wide. 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. Thus it can reach about 10m in many years.

It prefers moist but well-drained, alkaline soil but will grow in nearly any soil type, sun or shade. It is fully hardy to min. -27°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 23-12-2007