All features at a glance

The ivy - a wanted poster

• Botanical name: Hedera helix
• Plant family: Aralia family
• Origin: probably tropical forests
• Occurrence: worldwide
• Types: ten types
• Height: unlimited as a climbing plant
• Age: 400 to 500 years possible
• Age forms: young plant, age form from around ten years
• Leaves: mostly green, occasionally variegated
• Flowers: light green
• Flowering period: September to October
• Fruits: dark purple to black
• Winter hardiness: absolutely hardy
• Toxicity: yes, in all parts of the plant, especially the berries
• Usage: climbing plant, ground cover, houseplant
• Special features: gets red leaves in autumn

The age form of the ivy

In the case of a few plants, they are different Age forms as pronounced as in ivy. As a young plant, it only forms tendrils with adhesive roots that tend to cling to walls, facades, fences or the ground. The leaves of the young form are lobed several times.

Ivy reaches the age form from about ten years. It then only grows in height and no longer forms climbing tendrils. The leaves become darker and are hardly lobed.

Ivy only blooms when it is old and forms it strongly poisonous Fruit. The flowering time falls in autumn, the fruits ripen in spring.

Ivy as a pasture for bees

Since ivy blooms late in the year, it is one of the most valuable plants in the garden. The flowers are an important source of food for bees and wasps, which at this time of year only find a few flowering plants.

Ivy is poisonous

Ivy is poisonous in all parts of the plant. The fruits in particular pose a great risk of poisoning for humans and animals. Will only be three berries eaten, it can already have fatal consequences.

The leaves of some varieties of ivy turn red

One of the peculiarities of ivy is that some varieties develop red leaves in autumn. The red color is caused by coloring agents in the leaves. Even with strong sunlight, the leaves can grow Red discolor.