Hedera helix
| Hedera helix | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 49' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Fall-Late Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Hedera helix (common name: ivy)
Propagation: Seed - remove the flesh, which inhibits germination, and sow the seed in spring in a cold frame[1]. Four weeks cold stratification will improve germination[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a shady position in a frame. Good percentage[2].
Cuttings of mature wood, 12cm long, November in a cold frame[2].
Layering. Plants often do this naturally.
Cultivation: Ivy is a very easily grown plant that dislikes waterlogged, very dry or very acid soils but otherwise succeeds in all soil types[3][4][5]. It grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers some lime in the soil. Tolerates very dense shade[6][7], though it may not flower in such a position[K]. The plant is very hardy and tolerant of atmospheric pollution[8]. Established plants are drought tolerant[9].
A very ornamental and hardy plant[9], it tolerates temperatures down to about -25°c[10]. There are many named varieties[9], the variegated forms are less hardy than the species and also require more light[5].
Ivy is a rampant climbing plant, clinging by means of aerial roots and often trailing on the ground in woods and hedges[11]. It is of benefit rather than harm when growing on a wall because it keeps the wall dry and acts as an insulation[12][6]. It does not damage the structure of a wall. Similarly, it does not harm large trees when climbing into them, though it can shade out smaller and ailing trees[13]. It is not a parasitic plant, but instead obtains all its nutrient from the sun and the soil[11].
A very good plant for wild-life, it provides dense shelter for birds, spiders etc, an abundant late supply of nectar for insects and a supply of seeds for winter food[8][6][11]. It is a food plant for the larvae of many species of butterfly[6][14].
A very variable plant, there are many named varieties.
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[13].
Range: Europe, including Britain, south and east to the Mediterranean and Iran.
Habitat: Woodlands, hedges and shady places, climbing up trees, walls etc and clambering over the ground[15]. Found on all types of soils[15].
Edibility: Although they are almost certainly not edible, there is a report that the seeds contain 16.2% protein and 35.1% fat[16].
Medicinal: Ivy is a bitter aromatic herb with a nauseating taste[5]. It is often used in folk herbal remedies[16], especially in the treatment of rheumatism and as an external application to skin eruptions, swollen tissue, painful joints, burns and suppurating cuts[17][5]. Recent research has shown that the leaves contain the compound 'emetine', which is an amoebicidal alkaloid, and also triterpene saponins, which are effective against liver flukes, molluscs, internal parasites and fungal infections[5]. The leaves are antibacterial, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, cathartic, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenagogue, stimulant, sudorific, vasoconstrictor, vasodilator and vermifuge[15][16][5]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of gout, rheumatic pain, whooping cough, bronchitis and as a parasiticide[5]. Some caution is advised if it is being used internally since the plant is mildly toxic[15]. Excessive doses destroy red blood cells and cause irritability, diarrhoea and vomiting[5]. This plant should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[5].
An infusion of the twigs in oil is recommended for the treatment of sunburn[8].
The leaves are harvested in spring and early summer, they are used fresh and can also be dried[17].
Usage: A yellow and a brown dye are obtained from the twigs[18][19].
A decoction of the leaves is used to restore black fabrics[15][18][20] and also as a hair rinse to darken the hair[15][20]. If the leaves are boiled with soda they are a soap substitute for washing clothes etc[19].
An excellent ground cover for shady places, succeeding even in the dense shade of trees[21][22]. A very effective weed suppresser[9]. The cultivars 'Hibernica', 'Lutzii' and 'Neilsonii' have been especially mentioned[9].
Plants can be grown along fences to form a hedge. The variety 'Digitata' is very useful for this[13].
Plants have been grown indoors in pots in order to help remove toxins from the atmosphere. It is especially good at removing chemical vapours, especially formaldehyde[23]. The plants will probably benefit from being placed outdoors during the summer[23].
The wood is very hard and can be used as a substitute for Buxus sempervirens (Box), used in engraving etc[18][19]. Another report says that the wood is very soft and porous and is seldom used except as a strop for sharpening knives[8].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, lepidoptera
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Spring-Early Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: The plant is said to be poisonous in large doses[15][24][25][26] although the leaves are eaten with impunity by various mammals without any noticeable harmful affects.
The leaves and fruits contain the saponic glycoside hederagenin which, if ingested, can
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Beckett, Kenneth and Gillian Beckett. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold, 1979.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 de Bray, Lys. The Wild Garden.
- ↑ Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Wolverton, B. Eco-Friendly House Plants. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1996.
- ↑ Altmann, Horst. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus, 1980.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.