Hedera helix - what an ivy plant looks like
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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 a building, changing it beyond recognition.
Homeland of the plant
The places from 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 was domesticated and became a decor for any garden and the local area of private houses. The plant clings to tree trunks with special roots on the stems. Ivy has adapted to the new climatic conditions and tolerates the harsh winter cold of the middle zone quite firmly.
The plant is often used in decor today.
What does green ivy look like?
Hedera is an evergreen liana capable of wrapping around everything, even vertical structures. The culture does not have a powerful trunk. The root system is branched. Separate aerial parts of the root serve to secure ivy to walls, trees and other vertical objects.
Hedera in the wild envelops the trees
The leaves of most species are green. Some are distinguished by white blotches or edging. They can be quite large, and reach a length of 20 cm, or small, which is typical for indoor varieties. They are always dense and leathery specimens with a glossy surface, differing in shape depending on the species.
Hedera is capable of blooming. But the inflorescences are inconspicuous. The flowers are small. They have a greenish tint. After that, small fruits appear. They can also act as a seed for propagation in the wild.
Hedera Ampelnaya
Indoor plant that can grow comfortably at home. Its main advantage is love for shady places. Dislikes high humidity and frequent watering. It is recommended to constantly wipe the leaves, avoiding dust. Only in their pure form will they be able to actively purify the air in the room.
After raising the mark on the thermometer above +20 degrees Celsius, it is recommended to constantly spray the houseplant with water, thereby increasing the humidity of the air.
Reproduction can be done at any time of the year using the top of the cutting plant. Rooting is done in water. After planting the cutting, it is recommended to pinch it for better branching.
It is recommended to replant the young shrub annually for three years in a row.Then you can reduce the number of soil renewals to once every several years. The root system is powerful enough. Therefore, the pot is chosen wide so that it fits comfortably. Drainage is required. The soil is preferably peat.
How fast ivy grows
Most ivy grows quickly. If the conditions for the growth of a culture are suitable, in a short period of time it can capture an entire wall of a country house, even a small gap will not remain. Some varieties can add up to four meters in growth in one season.
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. The shrub prefers shady forests. Twisting its shoots around tall trees, it can reach a considerable height due to them. Known:
Hedera Variegated
It is considered a homemade variety that prefers to envelop vertical surfaces. Liana-shaped bush, has small foliage with 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 must always be moist, otherwise the leaves will begin to fall off.
Ivy canary
Differs in the strength and power of the trunk and leaves. The leaf can be up to 20 cm in length. White blotches on the surface are characteristic. It occurs naturally in Portugal and North Africa. The most famous variety is Variegata. The stem is slightly reddish. 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, resembling umbrellas in appearance. Ivy is a poisonous shrub.
The leaves of the Canary variety have an amazing color
Ivy irish
The variety is characterized by rapid growth. Basically, it reaches a height of 12-15 m. Some specimens - 20 m. A distinctive feature of heders is considered to be green leaves with dull areas, which have a characteristic bend. The culture is capable of spreading very picturesquely along the walls of houses and on the ground, and in a short period of time it can hide a plot of up to nine to ten square meters in its foliage. Globular inflorescences appear in early autumn. Densely pubescent shoots with a reddish edging add decorativeness.
Ivy Hedera Helix Vander
A roomy look that can beautify any interior. You can create a living wall. The main thing is to provide reliable support. The leaves are green and star-shaped. The veins are light, turquoise. You can plant the plant in hanging pots. The soil is suitable for all types of plants.
Plyushch Pastukhova
The plant is protected in a number of reserves in the Caucasus. It was listed in the Red Book of the Soviet Union. Shoots are thin, light brown in color. Leaves are bright green with rare stripes below, can reach a length of 10 cm. Odorless. They are round-heart-shaped. In the wild today, Pastukhov's ivy is quite rare. It grows on forest edges and clearings, climbs tall trees.
Ivy variegated
It is considered an indoor subspecies and is popular with florist designers. Looks beautiful in the interior thanks to green leaves with white edging. The foliage is shaped like a triangle. Its size is small, in contrast to the ivy leaves growing on the wall of the house. It is very easy to care for Variegated Ivy.
Ivy Caucasian
The natural habitat of the shrub is the Caucasus, hence the second name of the plant. Liana is distinguished by its strength and strength. It can be raised to a high support up to 30 m.The leaves are large and often whole. Length 18-25 cm, width 15-20 cm.Color green. Although there are also varieties interspersed in the form of small spots.
Caucasian hedera has dark berries that appear after flowering
Ivy greenhart
Evergreen aralian plant, reaching a height of 3-6 m. Leaves are bright green with light veins. Reliable fastening on vertical surfaces is carried out with the help of aerial roots. An unpretentious culture used for decorative purposes. It should be planted on loose and humified soil. Winter is going through 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, the dark green leaves take on a red and orange hue. The plant is sensitive to low temperatures. The light should be diffused, ivy will suffer from direct sunlight. During the season, the vine can grow by 3-4 m.
Hedera Helix mix: is it possible to keep at home
Hedera vulgaris can be planted in hanging pots and grown at home. In this case, it gives poisonous fruits extremely rarely. But if this happened, they need to be cut off urgently, and you can continue to admire the plant.
Ivy care is simple. He is unpretentious and does not need much manipulation. Water and wipe the leaves from dust in time, remove a little from the scorching sun in the shade - and the vine will delight you with dense 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 hedera. 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, to completely dig out the root system. It is important to remove the shoots in order to prevent them from further rooting. When young growth appears, it is worth using herbicides. This is the only way to bring it out.
The houseplant can be grown safely indoors or in the garden. You can create a real decorative miracle. Garden compositions are simply amazing. You just need inspiration and a little grooming.
