Ivy Plants – The Common Varieties
The ivy or the Hedera, is an evergreen climbing shrub and is found as a common addition in many indoor and outdoor gardens. These plants, which are available in a number of varieties, require minimum care for its growth and propagation.
Ivy Plants – Tips for Growth
It is seen that almost all varieties of ivy plants require similar conditions for their healthy growth and survival. These plants grow well in conditions of partial to full shade and will fail to thrive when placed under direct sunlight. Do see that you water the shrub only at the roots and take extreme care not to wet the foliage. The plant should be pruned thrice a year and an all purpose fertilizer should be applied once in every 2 months. Of the different varieties of ivy plants, the Pothos Ivy is a quite common one. This plant which is characterized by its long trail of leaves, presents an attractive sight when hung from a basket or mantle. The English Ivy is another popular ivy variety, which is best suited for providing coverage for walls and fences. Owing to the extremely quick growth rate of this plant, it becomes necessary to trim it on a weekly basis. This ivy variety which is characterized by fan shaped leaves is considered to be extremely toxic when consumed by both humans and animals.
Boston Ivy – Climbing Plant
A type of ivy which is popular for its ability to attach itself to various surfaces is the Boston Ivy or the Japanese Creeper. A native to Eastern Asia, this plant climbs up the walls with the help of its tendrils, which provides a strong gripping effect. These plants thrive well in moist loamy soil and are seen to bear small berries which are blue in color. The leaves of the Boston Ivy appear serrated and have three distinct lobes. The leaves, which appear reddish in spring, are seen to turn into shades of green and bright yellow during summer. The flowers of this plant are inconspicuous and they grow in clusters opposite to the leaves. This perennial woody vine can grow up to 60 feet tall and is suitable for providing a decorative coverage to pergolas and garden arbors.
Swedish Ivy – Houseplant
A popular member of the Ivy family is the Swedish Ivy, which is characterized by its lush green leaves that are round and scalloped. This is a popular houseplant which will thrive well when planted in hanging pots. This ivy differs from the other varieties owing to the fact that it requires direct sunlight for its healthy growth. The plant grows well in soil that is evenly moist and not soggy. Fertilization is required only during summer as the plant remains dormant during winters. The stems of this plant trail up to 3 foot long and produce clusters of small white flowers. After the flowers fade, pinch them off and also pinch back the stem tips, so as to encourage branching. To keep these quick growing plants in shape, it is also necessary to prune them occasionally.