Description
Ornamental ivy - Hedera helix ‘Fantasia’
In a nutshell
Ornamental ivy, Hedera helix ‘Fantasia’, is an elegant ivy with subtle variegation. All the leaves are differently marked, some being almost completely green while others are all white.
They are composed of 3 to 5 well-marked lobes. The base of the leaves is cordate. The leaf blade is spotted with creamy white and green in very variable proportions. The red-tinged young stems are clearly visible.
It is a thin ground cover. In cold regions, it is particularly suitable for indoors, as cold damage to non-chlorophyllous parts may occur outdoors. Visit Reversions to the all-in-green type are also more frequent outdoors.
History
This cultivar, probably a mutation of ‘Pittsburgh Variegated’, was introduced from the Netherlands to the United States in the 1970s.
Technical details - Hedera helix 'Fantasia'
Botanical information
- Family: Araliaceae
- Genre : Hedera
- Species : helix
- Cultivar: ‘Fantasia’
- Pierot classification: variegated ivy
- Foliage stage: juvenile
- Origin of the species: Europe, from Spain to Norway, but little on the Atlantic coast.
- Origin of cultivar: possibly a sport of ‘Pittsburgh Variegated’, introduced from the Netherlands in the 1970s
Description of Hedera helix ‘Fantasia’
- Growth habit: spreading
- Number of lobes: 3 to 5 lobes in general
- Leaf length: 4 cm
- Sheet width: 6 cm
- Leaf colour: mottled green and creamy white in very variable proportions
- Colour of veins: creamy white
- Colour of stem and petiole: reddish pink
- Mattress thickness: not very thick
- Hairs: stellate, 3 to 5 branches
Planting, growing and care instructions for Hedera helix ‘Fantasia’
- Exposure: sun, part shade
- Hardiness: -15°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, houseplant
- Development: medium
- Pruning: once a year
- Pests: very rare (spider mites, mealy bugs)
- Diseases: very rare (leaf spots)
A page from my little ivy encyclopaedia
A question of circumstances
Ivy and chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is what gives ivy leaves their green colour. But many varieties of ivy have leaves that are more or less variegated with white, yellow or cream. These chimeras are due to the absence of chlorophyll on the surfaces concerned.
The result is often particularly aesthetic. But plants need chlorophyll to carry out what is known as chlorophyll synthesis, on which growth depends. Plants with large non-chlorophyllous parts therefore find it more difficult to grow. Their growth may be slower or more limited. They may also be slightly more sensitive to frost or sunburn.
If you want a really voluble, strong ivy, opt for green-leaved ivy. We have many varieties.
Ivy in literature
“Ivy curled around the column, a reminder that nature embraces what men abandon.”






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