Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais
Ever gone online and seen the selection of English ivies that are for sale these days? It’s mindblowing! They come in all shapes and sizes, and in a multitude of shades. But this little ivy has fascinated me for years with its tightly stacked leaves. It’s Hedera helix ‘Congesta’, and it grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-11. According to the AHS encyclopedia, it maintains a small bush habit, and is suitable for rock gardens. If you live in the Northwest, however, don’t get too excited. From what I hear, planting English ivy there is like planting Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii cvs., Zones 5-8) in the Northeast. A no-no! Darned invasives.
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Comments
The Erie COunty Botanical Gardens in Buffalo has a winter show with an amazing variety of different ivies. Probably a hundred different types, never knew there were so many possibilities.
Wonderful! I think I need to find this great plant.
English Ivy is considered an invasive plant in the southeast, too. It's definitely on the "do not plant" list here. When I bought this house in Raleigh, NC 24 years ago, there was no Eng. Ivy. I didn't plant it, the birds did. Now it has taken over half an acre. A LOT of work and very difficult to eliminate. And it attracts the deer who love to eat it in late winter/early spring, then they have dessert with my camellias and azaleas.
It's invasive in the Mid Atlantic, too. I would never purchase English ivy of any ilk.
If it were variegated then it would really be perfect!
NEVER plant any variety of English ivy where it can climb your house wall.
We have just spent a fortune trying to eradicate it from stucco and are still battling the little tendrils and tiny clinging rootlike feet.
We did not plant it and I cannot imagine what the previous owners were thinking!
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