With ivy as ground cover, you can cover a dense carpet of plants in no time. There is little to consider when caring for common ivy.
Common ivy (Hedera helix) is one of the most popular ground covers among green plants. Due to its creeping habit, it is unlikely to be well suited for ground-cover concepts such as grave planting or green spaces set in beds. And you can also do a lot with ivy as a ground cover in the garden. The distribution area of Hedera helix extends all over Europe and extends into the mountainous regions of the Alps. With its creeping growth, common ivy conquers even high altitudes and is extremely cold-resistant. In the garden, these properties of ivy can be used to provide beds, slopes and embankments with attractive planting.
Common ivy as a ground-covering leaf decoration
The image of ivy-covered castle ramparts and forest meadows always has something mystical about it. Like a carpet of decorative leaves, the ground cover stretches across plains and hills in the wild. He buries dead wood, bare ground and stones with equal effort. In the garden, this is particularly interesting for locations where nothing else wants to grow. Even garden areas that are too uneven for conventional planting concepts or are blocked by impassable rocks, common ivy as a ground cover is the solution par excellence. In particular, because the plant tolerates both sunny and shady locations. Poorly lit locations, too unattractive for other plants, are just right for ivy. Recommended garden concepts in which Hedera helix comes into its own are:
- Alpine Gardens
- Natural Garden
- Forest Garden
There is something very original about a floor covered with ivy, if only because of the original leaf markings of Hedera helix. The diamond-shaped leaves have a conspicuous, net-like drawing, which, framed by the green-reddish leaf colour, has an incredibly high ornamental value. The declining growth of the ivy can extend over a width of up to 5 m. Ideal for decorative leaf carpets, also in beds.
It should be noted, however, that Hedera helixDespite its beauty, it is also extremely poisonous. In case of skin contact, the toxins of the plant can lead to an allergic skin reaction. You should therefore only work on the creeping and climbing plant with protective gloves and plant the plant out of the reach of children and pets.
| Common ivy (Hedera helix) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 30 - 50 cm a year |
| Growth: | 250 - 500 cm |
| Growth: | 20 - 30 cm |
| Root system: | Herzwurzler |
| Location: | sun to shade |
| Floor: | moderate |
Planting ivy as ground cover in the garden
Cultivating ivy as a ground cover is a little different than cultivating a climbing plant on a house wall. The goal is good compaction in width, not in height. For this reason, gardeners need to pay attention to a few important specifics when planting.
➔ Good soil preparation is important
As far as the location preparation is concerned, you should prepare very carefully here. Although ivy can cope with very different lighting conditions, it definitely does not like waterlogging at the location. The plant should also get at least 3 to 5 hours of sunshine per day, even in shady locations. But it can also be indirect sunlight. In principle, you can also plant ivy in the shade of large trees. But keep in mind that Hedera helix likes to attack tree trunks.
In terms of site soil, ivy as a ground cover prefers fresh, moist, well-drained soil. Before planting, be sure to remove all plant debris and weeds, including their roots. Plant residues could otherwise impair the growth and thus the rapid spread of the ivy over the soil surface. A loose, clayey or loamy substrate with a pH between 5.3 and 7.8 is best.
Plant ivy as ground cover - this is how it works
1. Step: Choose a planting date in spring or autumn - before the ivy sprout. At the time of planting, there must be no night or late frosts that could endanger the rapid growth of the ivy in the ground.
2. Step: Dig up the site soil deeply and free it from all soil obstacles such as root residues, stones or wood residues. Substrates that are too heavy can be loosened up with sand or gravel as part of soil optimization. A drainage bendsadditional waterlogging.
3. Step: Dig planting holes 25 cm apart. The planting depth for ivy is about 30 cm. After planting, a good initial watering is carried out. It stimulates the plants to root.
Proper care of ivy as groundcover
As a ground cover, common ivy must be cultivated very specifically if it is to form a dense carpet as quickly as possible. In the first two years of growth, conscientious weeding has top priority. A good water supply is also necessary. Common ivy quickly suffers from drought, especially in summer. Therefore, always water immediately as soon as the topsoil has dried up. The substrate must never dry out completely.
» Tip: The finger test helps to assess the soil moisture. Just stick your index finger into the substrate and test if the soil is still sticking well to your fingers. If the soil feels rather crumbly and dusty, it's time to top up.
Fertilizing the ivy every two to three weeks during the growth phase is a good idea. The good nutrient supply promotes rapid growth, so that the ivy carpet can spread easily. Suitable fertilizers are compost and horn shavings.
Ivy - Pruning and Propagation
While common ivy as a climbing plant climbs up house walls and trees in a relatively short time, Hedera helix as a groundcover requires targeted pruning. The best way to achieve rapid growth in width is through regular topiary cuts, as well as smaller care cuts to steer the ivy in the desired direction of growth.
» Note: Common ivy should not be pruned at will at any time of the year. Because the woody climbing plant is a popular nesting place for native bird species, the Federal Nature Conservation Act regulates the pruning of Hedera helix extremely strictly. Because the cutting measures could startle and drive away birds and wild animals that live in the undergrowth of the ivy. Intensive pruning of the ivy is therefore prohibited during the main breeding and nesting season from March 1st to September 30th. From October 1st until February 28th you can start cutting.
➔ Topiary in winter
Extensive pruning of the ivy takes place from the end of January to the end of February. Shorten tendrils that are too long and thin out the wood cleanly. Primarily unfavorable growing shoots and dead wood are removed.
➔ Care cut in summer
In addition to the wintry oneShape cuts, gentle care cuts in summer on Hedera helix ensure good branching. Cut back sporadic shoots and overhanging tendrils here. Before doing so, however, the wood should be examined for possible nesting sites for birds. If this is the case, please plan the grooming cut towards the end of August or beginning of September. Basically, the grooming cut should take place on a not too hot summer day with a cloudy sky. Otherwise, heat and sunlight will further weaken the ivy and formerly shaded leaves could become sunburnt.
➔ Faster growth through propagation by cuttings
A special tip for the rapid spread of the ivy carpet is to plant cuttings. This is particularly successful when ivy is intended to grow in a certain direction as a ground cover. In addition, the cuttings can be taken all year round. So you can add to the carpet to your heart's content.
- For the propagation of cuttings, cut off young ivy shoots in a length of 10 cm. However, only select strong shoots that are already slightly woody at the base.
- Remove the lower leaves of the shoots and slightly score the stems. This stimulates the root growth of the plant.
- Next, place the cuttings in a glass full of water. Rooting in a jar has a distinct advantage over rooting in a pot. It doesn't have to be watered all the time. The ends of the shoots always remain evenly moist and the cuttings form the first root shoots after just a few days.
- Put the jar in a bright, warm place and wait until the roots are about 3 cm long. Now you can carefully place the cuttings in a pot with growing substrate.
- Now the cuttings in the pot are kept constantly fresh and moist until the root tips protrude from the bottom of the pot. If you take the cuttings early in the spring, you may even be able to put them outdoors in the fall.
Winter ground cover ivy
Once common ivy has established itself at the site, it is hardy to -29 °C. However, the wood needs a frost-free period of at least 23 weeks per year for this. In addition, a light winter protection is recommended, at least for young plants. Simply cover the young plants with some brushwood or fir branches in autumn.
» Important: A good moisture supply must also be guaranteed for Hedera helix in winter. If necessary, use frost-free onesWinter days to re-moisten dry site substrate. But remember not to create waterlogging. It could cause frost damage to ivy roots in winter.
Removing groundcover ivy from the garden
In the beginning, the growth of ivy as a ground cover is usually limited. But that changes quickly once the wood has fully established its location. If the rampant ivy thicket becomes too much for you at some point, you should first remove the above-ground shoots from the problem area. After that, the adhesive roots must first be pulled out and then the old roots must be completely dug up.
Never leave the cuttings and root remains on the ground. Common ivy takes root faster than some would like. Another reason why overgrown ivy carpeting needs to be kept in check very definitely. In addition to curbing root growth, the introduction of root barriers into the substrate also helps. Use solid barriers such as stone blocks for this. Materials that are too light, such as wood, tend to leave the roots of the ivy unimpressed.