An Introduction To Ivies

Ivies are an exciting group of vining plants that are gaining more attention these days! The English ivy, Hedera helix, is perhaps best known for its evergreen foliage that is often used as a groundcover year-round. Its foliage is also capable of clothing brick or stone walls and fences.

In addition to the English ivy, Hedera helix, there are a number of other species of true ivy. The best known are: Hedera colchica, which has a form, 'Dentata', that is widely used as a groundcover in hardiness zone 5 and southward. Hedera canariensis, the Algerian or Canary ivy, sometimes known as Hedera algeriensis, it also comes in a variegated form called 'Gloire de Marengo'. Hedera rhombea, the Japanese ivy, is native to Japan. Hedera nepalensis, the Nepal ivy, is found in the Himalayas, Afghanistan and western China. Hedera pastuchovii, (Russian Ivy), is an Asiatic species native to the Caucasus Mts. near the Black Sea.

But some plants called ivy are really not ivies at all. The Boston ivy, which is used in northern climates to cover buildings, belongs to the genus Parthenocissus, turns red in the fall and loses its leaves. It is not evergreen. Most of the other plants labeled as ivies are plants of tropical origin and are commonly used as houseplants. This group of so-called ivies includes: grape-ivy (Cissus rhombifolia), German-ivy (Senecio mikanioides), Swedish-ivy (Plectranthus oertendahlii), and Kenilworth-ivy (Cymbalaria muralis). Poison-ivy (Rhus toxicodendron) is also not a true ivy.