Ivy are hardy, vining plants that are usually evergreen and used as ground covers or used to climb up walls. Not all ivy will climb. When used as a ground cover, the ivy create an attractive carpet of green foliage. Ivy can also be used as a spiller for combination planters and other patio containers.
It is a low maintenance plant that once established requires very little attention. One aspect you need to keep in mind is that ivy likes to grow and it will spread out. Some ivy can be invasive in some areas and be hard to control. It may take aggressive mowing and trimming to keep it in check.
Also please note that according to some sources, ivy can be toxic to pets if ingested.
Ivy comes in a lit of different colors, shapes and sizes. We grow ivy in our #4 Accent category in #4SQ(1801) flats. Showcased below are the varieties of ivy we grow.
Glacier Ivy
Glacier Variegated Ivy has beautiful gray-green leaves with silver to creamy white patches. The evergreen leaves make a very striking ground cover or vine for climbing walls and trees. Glacier is cold hardy and will also spread to cover the ground completely, providing excellent weed and erosion control.
Glacier Ivy is a less aggressive variety. It does well as a groundcover and in containers, but will climb.
Plant in part-sun to full shade 10-12″ apart. Grows 3-6″ tall. Given proper care, it will spread out and climb as much as allowed.
Gold Child Ivy
Gold Child Ivy has very attractive foliage with multi-lobed variegated leaves that have light gray-green to medium green centers and bright gold edges. The leaves can get 2-3″ wide. In hot environments, the gold fades to a creamy yellow. Also it’s colors are not as bright in full shade.
Gold Child can be used as a groundcover, climbing vine or in containers. It can also be grown indoors as a house plant. The American Ivy Society selected it as the 2008 Ivy of the Year.
Plant in part sun to full shade 10-12″ apart. Grows 4-6″ tall. Given proper care, it will spread out and climb as much as allowed.
Grunpfeil Ivy
Grunpfeil Ivy has tri-lobed leaves that are dark green leaves with light green veins. It is an evergreen, climbing ivy.
It does well as a groundcover and will climb walls and other garden structures with ease.
Plant in part-sun to full shade 10-12″ apart. Grows 4-6″ tall. Given proper care, it will spread out and climb as much as allowed.
Modern Times English Ivy
Modern Time English Ivy is a variety of English Ivy with dark green leaves with light green veins. What makes Modern Times stand out is it’s darker green foliage color and it’s textured, rumpled leaves.
English Ivy is striking as a ground cover or a vine for climbing trees and walls. It will spread to cover the ground completely. It does so well in some climates, that in some cases it is a nuisance and can be invasive.
Plant in full sun to full shade 10-12″ apart. Grows 4-6″ tall. Given proper care, it will spread out and climb as much as allowed.
Needlepoint Ivy
Needlepoint Ivy has long, pointed leaves in various sizes that are closely spaced. The leaves are smaller and more delicate looking than English Ivy with an elongated lobe in the middle of the leaf.
Needlepoint will grow outdoors as a groundcover where other plants will not grow such as under trees or on slopes. It will attach itself to most surfaces and will climb on walls and trellises, and it can also be grown indoors as a house plant or as a topiary. It is not as hardy as other varieties.
Plant in part-sun to full shade 10-12″ apart. Grows 3-6″ tall. Given proper care, it will spread out and climb as much as allowed.
White Ripple Ivy
White Ripple Ivy is a variegated English ivy that has marbled, light blue-green leaves with creamy white edges. It’s leaves are mid-sized and three lobed with and elongated middle lobe typical of a lot of ivy.
White Ripple is fast growing. It can be used as an indoor plant and also does well as a groundcover and climbing ivy vine. As a groundcover the plants for dense mats of foliage.
Plant in full sun to full shade 10-14″ apart. Grows 3-6″ tall. Given proper care, it will spread out and climb as much as allowed.
Ivy images © 2022 Kientzler North-America
