Table of contents
- Popular green-leaved Helix varieties
- Most popular breaded Helix varieties
- Most popular shade-loving ivy species
- Popular types of ivy for pots and balconies
- Strong and fast-growing specimens
- Most popular helix shrub
- frequently asked Questions
Common ivy (Hedera helix) is the best known and most widespread type of ivy. There are countless varieties of this, which differ from each other in various details and offer something suitable for every taste, need and requirement.
Popular green-leaved Helix varieties
Anita (Hedera helix 'Anita')
This Helix variety received an award for “Ivy of the Year” in 2006. Due to its dense growth and good pruning tolerance, it is particularly popular Grave planting and privacy protection.
- growth: strong bushy branches, growth height up to 200 centimeters
- leaves: small, three to five lobed; dark green; 2.5 centimeters tall
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: blue berries from the tenth year of planting
- particularities: weak growing; also suitable for shady locations
Baltica (Hedera helix 'Baltica')
The Baltic ivy impresses with its striking leaf pattern, which is why it has a high decorative value.
- growth: creeping or climbing; up to 500 centimeters in width and 50 centimeters in height
- leaves: heart-shaped; dark green with cream veins; red-bronze autumn color
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: spherical black-blue berries appear after eight years at the earliest
- particularities: evergreen; very compatible with cutting; ideal as a ground cover
Deltoid (Hedera helix 'Deltoidea')
This is a weak and slow growing type of ivy. It is preferred especially because of the colored leaves during the gray season.
- growth: creeping or climbing; up to 500 centimeters in width and 50 centimeters in height
- leaves: heart-shaped; dark green with cream veins; red-bronze autumn and winter color
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: spherical black-blue berries appear after eight years at the earliest
- particularities: evergreen; very compatible with cutting; ideal as a ground cover
Green Arrow (Hedera helix 'Green Arrow')
This Helix variety comes from the Hedera hibernica from southern Spain and has been bringing fresh color to the usually dreary Central European autumn with green-yellow flowers since the late 1980s. The Green Arrow is particularly used as a ground cover.
- growth: climbing and crawling; Growth height up to 30 centimeters
- leaves: dark green; heart-shaped; leathery; lobed edge
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: spherical, blue-black berries
- particularities: evergreen; reddish shoots
Most popular breaded Helix varieties
'Glacier' (Hedera helix 'Glacier')
The white-green ivy is a tried-and-tested variety and is therefore widespread in Central Europe. It is considered one of the most decorative varieties of all ivy species.
- Growth: ground-covering and climbing; little branched; overhanging; Growth height up to 400 centimeters
- Leaves: gray-green; silvery looking; white leaf margin; triangular shape
- Flowering time: September to October
- Berries: round, highly poisonous black-blue berries
- Special features: evergreen; no autumn color; suitable for pots; extremely robust and hardy
Tip:
For those who live in extreme cold zones, such as in the Alps or high mountains, this almost indestructible variety is the best choice.
Goldchild (Hedera helix 'Goldchild')
This golden yellow ivy feels most comfortable in normal garden soil. It is very undemanding and can be planted in sunny to partially shaded locations.
- growth: weak to moderately strong, climbing; Growth height up to 500 centimeters
- leaves: green-yellow variegated
- flowering time: May
- Berry: spherical, blue-black berries
- particularities: evergreen; insect friendly; ideal for bordering beds; thermophilic; suitable for keeping in containers
Harlequin (Hedera helix 'Harlekijn')
This type of ivy is very easy to care for and ideal for beginners. It thrives best when it is in fresh to moist, nutrient-rich and well-drained soil.
- growth: highly branched; Growth height between 250 and 350 cm
- leaves: green-yellowish to creamy spotted; Silver shimmer
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: blue-black; pea size
- particularities: has high water requirements; suitable for sunny to shady locations; one of the most impressive varieties
Marginata elegantissima (Hedera helix 'Marginata elegantissima')
While many Helix plants require a lot of water, the “elegant Marginata” prefers drier soils. Therefore, a location should be chosen that is not prone to overwatering.
- growth: climbing and crawling; tight; Growth height up to 500 centimeters or up to 30 centimeters creeping
- leaves: large; gray-green with white-yellow accents; elongated tip
- flowering time: August to September
- Berry: blue to blue-black, roundish-oval
- particularities: very light tolerant; very bee and bumblebee friendly; loves shady places; very hardy
Most popular shade-loving ivy species
Mini esters (Hedera helix 'mini-ester')
Most types of ivy like partial shade. However, this is special because it conjures up color in the garden even in the darkest shade.
- growth: slow growing; hanging, climbing and crawling; Growth height up to 30 centimeters
- leaves: gray-green; white leaf edges; pointed; three-lobed
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: blue; highly toxic
- particularities: requires a sheltered location in winter; ideal for planting under densely growing trees
Knight's Cross (Hedera helix 'Knight's Cross')
The Knight's Cross owes its name to the shape of the leaf, which bears a similarity to the historic Maltese Knight's Cross. It is one of the most beautiful ivy varieties for which a suitable location can be found anywhere.
- growth: fast growing; climbing, crawling and hanging; ground cover; Growth height about five centimeters
- leaves: narrow-elongated; olive green; tapering
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: black-blue to black; very toxic to humans
- particularities: grows in very shady places; extremely popular as an ampel and balcony plant
Woerner (Hedera helix 'Woerner')
The Woerner ivy is as that “climbing master” known among the ivy. If you want to quickly cover up unsightly walls or fences, this easy-care variety is the best choice.
- growth: climbing; ground cover; creeping; tight; Growth height up to 1500 centimeters
- leaves: dark green with light leaf veins; three to five lobed; thick, leathery; occasionally red autumn colors
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: blue-black balls from the tenth year
- particularities: evergreen; does not require pruning; does not tolerate direct sun
Popular types of ivy for pots and balconies
Goldheart (Hedera helix 'Goldheart')
Godlheart is also known as gold ivy. Hardly any other variety has such an elegant appearance.
- growth: climbing; Dense, branched and bushy growing: height up to 400 centimeters
- leaves: three-lobed to heart-shaped; yellow-golden with green leaf edges
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: spherical black-blue berries appear after ten years at the earliest
- particularities: evergreen; no autumn color; also suitable for garden beds
Duckfoot (Hedera helix 'Duckfoot')
Duckfoot ivy can be found on countless balconies where no other plant would survive in very shady places. Thanks to its slight shimmer, it also becomes a real eye-catcher in the garden.
- growth: happy to grow; long, branched shoots; Growth height up to 2000 centimeters
- leaves: olive green; glittering; hairy; Duck foot shape
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: black-blue; plump
- particularities: suitable as a container and hanging basket plant; loves sun; needs a lot of water
Tip:
Where moisture rises on house facades, planting Duckfoot is recommended. Due to its high water requirement, it can draw a lot of water from the soil and, ideally, even cause it to dry out.
Tear drop (Hedera helix 'Tear Drop')
This Helix variety is one of a few that does not tolerate cold well. But that doesn't stop plant lovers from buying it, because its special, tear-shaped leaves make it particularly popular as a balcony plant.
- growth: creeping; easy climbing; Growth height up to 30 centimeters
- leaves: rich, vibrant green; whitish veins; teardrop shape; after many years
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: deep black
- particularities: very light tolerant; also popular as an ampel plant; Cold protection is recommended at very low temperatures
Strong and fast-growing specimens
Hibernica (Hedera helix 'Hibernica')
This Helix from southern Spain brings a Mediterranean flair to every garden. Due to its strong growth, it is mainly used in the garden or as facade plants.
- growth: creeping and climbing; Growth height up to 1000 centimeters
- leaves: dark green; light veins; heart-shaped; up to 15 centimeters tall
- flowering time: September to November
- Berry: blue in early spring
- particularities: evergreen; does not tolerate strong sun
Jessica (Hedera helix 'Jessica')
The “Jessica” variety is a feast for the eyes thanks to its unusual leaf shape. It is also one of the few specimens that does not have poisonous berries, making it ideal for households with children and pets.
- growth: high tightness; Growth height up to 100 centimeters
- leaves: rich, dark green; light veins; triangular lap
- flowering time: bears no flowers
- Berry: no fruit
- particularities: moderately hardy; evergreen; suitable for pots and garden beds and as a houseplant; Shade/partial shade plant
Most popular helix shrub
Arborescens (Hedera helix 'Arborescens')
The shrub ivy 'Arborescens' presents itself very differently than most people are used to, namely as a non-climbing plant. It is very easy to cut, but if you have the space you can grow the plant into a smaller tree.
- growth: shrubby to tree-like; upright, compact and dense; not climbing; Growth height up to 200 centimeters
- leaves: gray-green; silvery looking; white leaf margin; triangular shape
- flowering time: September to October
- Berry: round, black
- particularities: evergreen; very bee-friendly; no autumn color; Cold protection is recommended for prolonged temperatures below freezing
frequently asked Questions
These are predominantly the variegated varieties, but the ivy bush mentioned above and some green-leaved Helix varieties are also only moderately to partially hardy. Therefore, no general information needs to be given. However, you will find information about this in the descriptions.
Some are very toxic to humans, others less toxic. Consumption should be avoided in any case because, depending on the toxicity, it can also be severe Symptoms of poisoning in the form of, for example, nausea with severe and long-lasting vomiting Diarrhea may occur.
Mandy
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