Description
Ornamental ivy - Hedera helix ‘Helena’
In a nutshell
Ornamental ivy, Hedera helix ‘Helena’, This is a very elegant ivy with beautifully contrasting variegated leaves.
The leaves are composed of 5 lobes in the shape of a star or arrow. The terminal lobe is twice as long as the lateral lobes. It narrows towards the front, bending slightly to the left or right at the tip of the leaf. The centre of the leaf is tinged with shades of green and bordered by a narrow, uniformly creamy-white margin.
This variety can be used as ground cover or as a climber. At maturity, it produces fairly large, widely-spaced leaves on fairly branched stems, giving a very attractive silvery effect. This ivy does very well in dry conditions and in the sun. However, it may need protecting during cold winters in damp climates.
History
This cultivar was discovered by David Clarke of the American Ivy Society in 1980. It is named after his wife.
Technical details - Hedera helix 'Helena'
Botanical information
- Family: Araliaceae
- Genre : Hedera
- Species : helix
- Cultivar: ‘Helena’
- Pierot classification: variegated ivy, ivy with bird's-foot leaves
- Foliage stage: juvenile
- Origin of the species: Europe, from Spain to Norway, but little on the Atlantic coast.
- Origin of cultivar : discovered by David Clarke of the American Ivy Society in 1980. It is named after his wife.
Description of Hedera helix ‘Helena’
- Growth habit: stocky, spreading
- Number of lobes: usually 5 lobes
- Leaf length: 6 cm
- Sheet width: 4 cm
- Leaf colour: various shades of green with creamy white margins
- Colour of veins: cream
- Colour of stem and petiole: purplish green
- Hairs: stellate, 3 to 5 branches
Planting, cultivation and maintenance advice for Hedera helix ‘Helena’
- Exposure: shade, part shade, sun
- Hardiness: -7°C
- Soil moisture: cool soil
- Soil PH: neutral or chalky
- Soil type: all
- Soil richness: ordinary or humus-bearing
- Use: ground cover, climber, pot, window box, topiary, hanging baskets
- Development: moderate
- Pruning: once a year
- Pests: very rare (spider mites, mealy bugs)
- Diseases: very rare (leaf spots)
Ivy in literature
“The ivy clung firmly to the cold stones, leaving no chance for oblivion.”










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