Hedera Helix, or green ivy, is an evergreen flexible vine of the Araliev family. The plant can be seen in the natural environment, where it envelops tree trunks, as well as in cities and towns on the walls of private houses. Such a hedge is able to decorate the facade of the building, changing beyond recognition.
Homeland of the plant
The places where ivy came to our latitudes are the humid subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean and Central Europe. This creeping shrub today lives not only in the wild. He domesticated and became a decor for any garden and adjoining territory of private houses. The plant clings to tree trunks with special roots located on the stems. Ivy has adapted to the new climatic conditions and is quite resistant to the harsh winter cold of the middle lane.
Today the plant is often used in decoration.
Interesting! There is an opinion that culture came to us from Latin America. Smugglers on their ships transported wild green ivy. He quickly adorned the tall walls of Spanish fortresses, becoming a kind of symbol of the country.
What does green ivy look like?
Hedera is an evergreen vine, capable of entwining everything, even vertical structures. The culture is not distinguished by a powerful trunk. The root system is branched. Separate aerial parts of the root are used to reliably strengthen ivy on walls, trees and other vertical objects.
Heder in the wild envelops trees
Leaflets of most species have a green color. Some differ in white blotches or fringing. They can be large enough, and reach a length of 20 cm, or small, which is typical for indoor varieties. These are always dense and leathery specimens with a glossy surface, differing in shape depending on the type.
Hedera is able to bloom. But the inflorescences are inconspicuous. The flowers are small. They have a greenish tint. After small fruits appear. They can also act as a seed for reproduction in the wild.
Important! If indoor ivy suddenly bloomed, the fruits appeared, they must be carefully cut and destroyed. They are the ones that are poisonous. It is important to wear gloves and protect your skin from harmful syrup. You can even throw a cloak. With direct contact, redness, blisters, and even burns may appear on the body. Excessive swelling can cause a cough.
Hedera Ampelnaya
A houseplant that can grow quietly at home. Its main advantage is the love of shady places. He does not like high humidity and frequent watering. It is recommended to wipe the leaves constantly, avoiding dustiness. Only in their pure form can they actively purify the air in the room.
After raising the mark on the thermometer above +20 degrees Celsius, it is recommended that the indoor plant be constantly sprayed with water, thereby increasing air humidity.
Reproduction can be performed at any time of the year using the top of the cuttings of the plant. Rooting is done in water. After planting the stem, it is recommended to pinch it for better branching.
Transplanting a young shrub is recommended annually for three consecutive years. Then you can reduce the number of soil updates to once every several years. The root system is quite powerful. Therefore, the pot is chosen wide so that it fits comfortably. Be sure to use drainage. The soil is preferably peat.
Note! To give the plant an attractive appearance, it is recommended to trim the bush periodically.
How fast is ivy growing
Most ivies grow rapidly. If the conditions for the growth of culture are suitable, for a short period of time it can capture the whole wall of a country house, even a small clearance will remain. Some varieties in one season can add up to four meters in height.
Hedera and its varieties
More than 15 varieties of creeping ivy are known. The plant is found in subtropical groves of Europe, Asia, Africa and even America. Shrub prefers shady forests. Encircling tall trees with their shoots, can reach significant heights due to them. Known:
Hedera variegated
It is considered a home variety that prefers to envelop vertical surfaces. The bush is lianiform, has small foliage with a variegated color. It is easy to grow variegated ivy and take care of the plant. Prefers bright rooms for active growth, but without direct sunlight on the leaves. The soil in the pot should always be wet, otherwise the leaves will begin to fall off.
Ivy Canary
It is distinguished by the strength and power of the trunk and leaves. The sheet can reach 20 cm in length. White blotches on the surface are characteristic. It is found in nature in Portugal and North Africa. The most famous variety is Variegata. The stem has a slightly reddish hue. The leaves are large, with a white-green edging. The flower of the Canary Hedera has a green-yellow color. Small flowers are collected in inflorescences, apparently resembling umbrellas. Ivy refers to poisonous shrubs.
Canary leaflets have an amazing color
Ivy irish
The variety is characterized by rapid growth. Basically, it reaches a height of 12-15 m. Individual specimens - 20 m. A distinctive feature of the header is green leaflets with matte areas that have a characteristic bend. The culture can very picturesquely spread on the walls of houses and the earth, and in a short period of time can hide in its foliage a plot of land up to nine to ten square meters. Spherical inflorescences appear in early autumn. Dense shoots with a reddish fringing add decorativeness.
Heder Ivy Helix Vander
A room view that can decorate any interior. You can create a living wall. The main thing is to provide a reliable support. Leaflets differ in green color and star shape. The veins are light, turquoise. You can plant a plant in hanging pots. Soil is suitable for all types of plants.
Note! Helix Vander does not need top dressing; lighting loves diffuse. Avoid direct sunlight.
Ivy Pastukhov
The plant is protected in a number of nature reserves in the Caucasus. It was listed in the Red Book of the Soviet Union. The shoots are thin, light brown in color. Leaflets of bright green color with sparse stripes below can reach a length of 10 cm. Odorless. They have a rounded heart shape. In the wild today, Pastukhov ivy is quite rare. Grows on the edges and glades, climbs tall trees.
Ivy Variegate
It is considered a room subspecies, is popular with florists and designers. It looks beautiful in the interior thanks to green leaves with a white border. The foliage resembles a triangle in shape. Its dimensions are small, unlike ivy leaves growing on the wall of a house. It’s very easy to take care of Variegate ivy.
Ivy Caucasian
The Caucasus is considered the natural habitat of the shrub, hence the second name of the plant. Liana is distinguished by strength and strength. It can rise to a high support up to 30 m. The leaves are large and more often whole. Length is 18-25 cm, width is 15-20 cm. Color is green. Although there are also varieties interspersed with small spots.
Caucasian heder has dark berries that appear after flowering
Ivy greenhart
Evergreen aralium plant, reaching a height of 3-6 m. Leaves of bright green color with bright veins. Reliable fastening on vertical surfaces is carried out using aerial roots. Unpretentious culture used for decorative purposes. Planting stands on loose and humus-rich soil. It is going through winter normally.
Boston ivy
Liana is distinguished by a tree-like trunk, splendor and density. Reaches 20-30 m. Often used for decorative purposes. By autumn, dark green leaves become red and orange. The plant is sensitive to low temperatures. The light must be diffused, ivy will suffer from direct sunlight. During the season, the liana can grow by 3-4 m.
Interesting! IN Unlike English ivy, Field, Colchis and Crimean, Boston does not belong to the Aralian family. He comes from a family of grapes. From what the plant is popularly called the girl's ivy grape.
Hedera Helix mix: can I keep it at home
An ordinary heder can be planted in hanging pots and grown at home. In this case, it gives extremely toxic fruits. But if this happened, they urgently need to be cut, and you can continue to enjoy the plant.
Caring for ivy is simple. He is unpretentious and does not need special manipulations. Time to water and wipe the leaves from dust, remove from the scorching sun a little in the shade - and the liana will delight with thick foliage and greenery in the room.
How to get rid of ivy
Often gardeners are faced with the problem of filling the territory with a header. It grows extremely quickly, and can completely cover the entire garden and vegetable garden. To avoid this, it is recommended to cut the vine at the very base, completely dig out the root system. It is important to clean the shoots in order to prevent their further rooting. When young shoots appear, it is worth using herbicides. The only way to get it out.
Attention! Culture has many varieties, some of which are poisonous. But it is not the flower itself and its leaves that are dangerous. The danger is inflorescences and berries.
A houseplant can be safely grown indoors or in the garden. You can create a true decorative miracle. Garden compositions are simply amazing. You just need inspiration and a little care.
