Description
Irish ivy - Hedera hibernica ‘Sulphurea’
In a nutshell
Irish ivy, Hedera hibernica ‘Sulphurea’, has asymmetrical foliage, sometimes round, sometimes lobed with slightly undulating margins. This distinctive motif is rarely lost.
The leaf is large (7-8 cm in diameter), mottled light green and grey-green with a creamy-yellow margin.
This is a slow-growing ivy with few branches. It makes an attractive ground cover for small spaces, or can be used to decorate magnificent pots.
History
This cultivar has a rather chaotic history. It was discovered and described by Hibberd in 1872. It then disappeared for a while. It was rediscovered in the gardens of Spetchley Park, Eversham, UK, but was not initially identified as ‘Sulphurea’. It then took the name ‘Spetchley Variegated’ until, in 1975, it was identified as ‘Sulphurea’ and reverted to its original name.
Technical details - Hedera hibernica 'Sulphurea'
Botanical information
- Family: Araliaceae
- Genre : Hedera
- Species : hibernica
- Cultivar: ‘Sulphurea’
- Pierot classification: fan-leaved ivy, variegated ivy, wavy-leaved ivy
- Foliage stage: semi-adult
- Origin of the species: Europe, Atlantic coast, from Portugal to Scotland
- Origin of cultivar: discovered by Hibbert in 1872
Description of Hedera hibernica ‘Sulphurea’
- Growth habit: spreading
- Number of lobes: 0 to 3 lobes in general
- Leaf length: 7 cm
- Sheet width: 8 cm
- Leaf colour: grey-green with sulphur yellow margins
- Colour of veins: yellow-green
- Stem: fairly thick, not very branchy
- Colour of stem and petiole: purple green
- Hair: stellate, small
Planting, cultivation and care instructions for Hedera hiberniva ‘Sulphurea’
- Exposure : sun
- Hardiness: -15°C
- Soil moisture: cool soil
- Soil PH: all
- Soil type: all
- Soil richness: ordinary or humus-bearing
- Use: ground cover, climber, pot, window box
- Development: moderate
- Pruning: once a year
- Pests: very rare (spider mites, mealy bugs)
- Diseases: very rare (leaf spots)
A page from my little ivy encyclopaedia
All your questions about ivy
Is it true that ivy cures rheumatism?
Ivy is used externally to relieve muscle and joint pain, particularly in cases of rheumatism or arthritis. Ivy-based poultices or ointments can be applied directly to painful areas.
Forms of use :
- Cataplasm Fresh or dried ivy leaves can be crushed and applied directly to the skin as a poultice to relieve pain.
- Massage oil Ivy can be macerated in oil to make a useful massage oil for joint pain.
Important precaution :
Ivy can cause skin irritation in some people, so a preliminary test on a small area of skin is recommended before widespread application.
Ivy in literature
“The old stone wall, overgrown with ivy, was the only reminder of their former home.”










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