Canary Ivy

Canary Ivy (Hedera canariensis) is the fastest way to green a bare wall, a retaining wall or a shaded bank where nothing else will grow. It climbs to about 6m and spreads around 3m, with large glossy evergreen leaves that hold their colour all winter. It is vigorous, and that is both the reason to plant it and the reason to keep it firmly contained.

Why you'll love it

• It covers ground and walls quickly. Fast growing to about 6m of climb and 3m of spread, so a raw block wall or an eroding bank stops looking raw within a couple of seasons.
• It works in shade. Partial shade suits it, which puts it on a short list of plants that will cover a south facing wall or the dry ground beneath established trees.
• Large glossy evergreen leaves. Bigger and shinier than common ivy, holding a solid green wall of foliage right through winter.
• Genuinely tough. Drought tolerant once established, frost hardy, salt tolerant and untroubled by poor soil. It will grow where builders left the ground compacted.

Where it works best

Retaining walls and slopes. Plant 1m apart across the face of a bank. The stems root down as they run, binding the surface and stopping erosion in a position usually too steep and dry to plant any other way.

Screening a wall or fence. At 1m spacing along the base of a masonry wall or a wire frame it will cover the structure completely. Give it something to grip and it climbs without help.

Growing Canary Ivy in Australia

Position and climate. Partial shade is ideal, though it copes with sun in cooler districts. It grows across subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and it is frost hardy, so cold southern winters are no obstacle.

Soil. Almost anything. Poor, compacted and stony soils are all acceptable provided water drains away. Improving the soil mostly succeeds in making an already vigorous plant faster.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer to establish, then only in long dry spells. Do not feed it. There is no version of this plant that needs encouragement.

Pruning and containment. This is the real job. Cut it back hard once or twice a year to keep it off gutters, roof tiles and the neighbour's side of the fence. The aerial roots grip strongly and can lift soft mortar and paint, so keep it on sound masonry or a frame rather than rendered or timber surfaces. It can escape gardens and naturalise, so never plant it near bushland or a waterway.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in one size, tube stock: a small, young rooted plant, which is the right way to buy a vigorous climber. It establishes fast, costs least per metre of wall, and catches up to a larger plant within a season. Order the numbers you need for 1m spacing.

Tube stock travels well and arrives compact. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect visible running growth within a month in warm weather, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The best groundcovers for shaded ground
• Browse the full climber range
• Plants suited to retaining walls and slopes
• Compare other plants for partial shade

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Ivy is toxic to pets, and chewing the leaves can cause drooling, vomiting and stomach upset. If your dog chews plants, choose a different groundcover for any area it uses.

Will it damage my wall?

It can. The aerial roots grip hard and work into soft mortar, flaking paint and timber. On sound brick, block or concrete it is generally fine. On rendered or timber surfaces, grow it on a separate frame set clear of the wall.

How do I stop it taking over?

Cut it back hard once or twice a year and maintain a clean edge with a spade or a mowing strip. Do not let it climb into trees, and never plant it where it can run into bushland.