{"product_id":"ivy-hedera-helix","title":"Ivy - Hedera helix","description":"\u003cp\u003eIvy (\u003cem\u003eHedera helix\u003c\/em\u003e), also known as English ivy, is a vigorous, self-clinging evergreen with dark green, three-lobed leaves. It covers a bare fence or wall, carpets the ground under trees and clips into topiary, all in shade where little else will grow. It is also a plant to grow with care: in parts of Australia it is a weed, so this is one to keep contained.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThrives in shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e Where lawns and most shrubs fail, it grows happily in shade or filtered sun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHides fences and walls.\u003c\/strong\u003e Self-clinging stems climb unaided and cover unsightly surfaces quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast groundcover.\u003c\/strong\u003e Stems root as they run along the ground, filling in beneath trees and along shaded boundaries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTakes almost any soil.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is happy in almost any soil and totally cold hardy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShelter and food for wildlife.\u003c\/strong\u003e Birds use the dense growth for shelter, and the foliage and black winter berries feed birds and insects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFences and walls.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart along the base of a fence or wall. The stems climb by themselves, and the plants join into a single green screen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroundcover under trees.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 50cm apart beneath trees, where grass will not grow. It roots along the stems and fills the gaps between plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTopiary and archways.\u003c\/strong\u003e Train it over a wire frame for instant topiary, or over an archway, and clip regularly to hold the shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Ivy in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shade or filtered sun with plenty of indirect light. It is best suited to cooler Australian climates, so it suits cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, though it is robust enough to test in hotter ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Happy in almost any soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until established, with extra water in dry periods. Feed with a controlled-release fertiliser each spring and follow with a liquid fertiliser monthly through summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Growth can be prolific, so cut it back as required. English ivy has become a serious environmental weed in parts of Australia, particularly Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. Keep it clipped and contained, never let it run toward bushland, put the cuttings in green waste, and check your local weed rules before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Ivy as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly), in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical way to cover a long fence or a shaded bed, while the larger pots give you fuller cover sooner. Plants travel well and pick up speed within weeks of planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/climbers\"\u003eMore climbers for fences and walls\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003eOther groundcovers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/shade-gardening-with-brisbane-plant-nursery-guide\"\u003eShade gardening: what to plant where\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-full-shade\"\u003ePlants for full shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs ivy a weed in Australia?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn parts of the country, yes. English ivy has become a serious environmental weed, particularly in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, where it smothers bushland. Keep it contained, and check local rules.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 50cm apart for groundcover or to cover a fence. The stems root as they spread, so the gaps close quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is toxic to dogs, cats and people if eaten, and the sap can irritate skin. Keep pets away from it and wear gloves when cutting it back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787236802879,"sku":"HED-HEL-tube","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787236835647,"sku":"HED-HEL-140MM-P10","price":197.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67787236868415,"sku":"HED-HEL-200MM-P6","price":343.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/ivy-hedera-helix.jpg?v=1792153752","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/ivy-hedera-helix","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}