Description
Ornamental ivy - Hedera helix ‘Ralf’
In a nutshell
Ornamental ivy, Hedera helix ‘Ralf’, is quite similar to ‘Perkeo‘However, its foliage is lighter.
The leaves are cordate or composed of 3 rounded lobes. The leaf blade is initially a fairly light yellow-green, becoming medium green with age. They turn purple in cold weather or when stressed.
This ivy can be used as ground cover or in pots.
History
This cultivar was selected by the Stauss nursery in Germany in 1970.
Technical details - Hedera helix 'Ralf'
Botanical information
- Family: Araliaceae
- Genre : Hedera
- Species : helix
- Cultivar: ‘Ralf’
- Synonym: ‘Royal Tee’
- Pierot classification: heart-shaped ivy
- Foliage stage: juvenile
- Origin of the species: Europe, from Spain to Norway, but little on the Atlantic coast.
- Origin of cultivar: selected by the Stauss nursery, Germany, in 1970
Description of Hedera helix ‘Ralf’
- Port : stocky
- Number of lobes: usually 3 rounded lobes
- Leaf length: 4 cm
- Sheet width: 4 cm
- Leaf colour: yellow green, then medium green
- Leaf colour variation: purple hues in cold weather or when stressed
- Leaf base: rounded
- Colour of veins: light green
- Colour of stem and petiole: reddish green
- Length of petiole: 5 to 8 cm
- Stem: well-branched
- Hairs: stellate, 3 to 5 branches
Planting, cultivation and maintenance advice for Hedera helix ‘Ralf’
- Exposure: shade, part shade, sun
- Hardiness: -10°C
- Soil moisture: cool soil
- Soil PH: neutral or chalky
- Soil type: all
- Soil richness: ordinary or humus-bearing
- Use: ground cover, pots, window boxes, hanging baskets
- Development: rapid
- Pruning: once a year
- Pests: very rare (spider mites, mealy bugs)
- Diseases: very rare (leaf spots)
Ivy in literature
“Ivy, like persistent memory, climbs, embraces and attaches itself without ever letting go.”





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