Hedera Hibernica Irish Ivy

Hedera Hibernica is the Irish Ivy. It’s a vigorous evergreen climber with large glossy five-lobed leaves. It’s a good choice for ground cover or vertical cover and holds the prestigious RHS AGM.

Irish Ivy is native to Ireland. It has larger leaves than the common ivy each measuring up to 12 cms wide with five distinct lobes. New foliage emerges a lighter shade creating a nice contrast with the established deep glossy leaves. Then in autumn, Irish Ivy produces small green flowers that are insignificant to us but loved by pollinators at a time when garden flowers are fading. Flowers mature into tiny black berries during late autumn which are eaten by blackbirds.

This is a really useful ground cover or climbing plant that needs very little attention and never fails to cover a surface with glossy green life. We also sell Irish Ivy as a living privacy screen that’s perfect for balcony railings.

Height And Spread of Hedera Hibernica
Irish Ivy is a rampant grower and will easily cover a wall, fence, tree or the ground up to 12 metres in length and 8 in width.

How Hardy is Hedera Hibernica
Irish Ivy is extremely hardy and will grow in tough conditions if its roots are well-drained. It can tolerate some drought once established and copes with the harshest winters.

How To Use Hedera Hibernica
Irish Ivy is an excellent ground cover on banks and slopes, protecting exposed soil quickly and effectively with its large leaves and rapid growth. If using as a ground cpver, it’s best to ensure there are no vertical surfaces nearby as its natural growth habit is skywards.
Its upward habit makes it’s a good choice for walls, fences, arbours, sheds and unsightly features in need of naturalistic quick-growing coverage.

How To Care For Hedera Hibernica
This is a plant that needs no maintenance unless you want to restrict its spread, in which case you can trim it back in winter.

Irish ivy will grow in both shade and full sun and as long as it has well-drained soil it tolerates exposed positions, pollution, and coastal sprays too.