Description of Wild Common Ivy - Hedera Helix

Hedera (ivy) is considered one of the oldest cultivated crops. She was planted in ancient Rome. In those days, the plant personified a successful marriage and immortality. Common ivy can be up to 200 years old. This is a liana crawling through the trees, or an evergreen carpet. A detailed description of the ivy plant is below.

Ivy - what is it

Ivy is a climbing plant. Under favorable conditions, it reaches a height of 25 m. Climbs over supports and large trees thanks to its additional roots, similar to suckers. Leaves are strong, leathery. Flowering plants have umbrella-shaped inflorescences. The color of the leaves themselves is dark green, but in some species it can be cream or golden.

Evergreen carpet

Popularly known as magenta yarn, serpentine, criminal, divai. Central Russia has its own name - povelika. Here it has the status of a weed. Flowers are single and bisexual. Berries are poisonous to humans. Fortunately, they do not have time to ripen, since the plant blooms in August-October, and the fruit ripens for 9 months after that. At home, it blooms very rarely.

Liana is widely used in landscape design. It is planted near gazebos, terraces. The plant is able to completely close the wall if there is something to cling to.

Also used as an ampelous plant. If there is no support, a flower growing in a pot will hang down with a lush cap.

The chedera can be shaped in any shape. If you use a stand of an unusual shape and pinch it in time, then very soon the green figure will delight the eye.

Liana is used for a green fence. Designers make lush pillows out of ivy on the ground, used for decorative garden decorations. A liana decorating a poplar or other tree in a public park looks amazing.

There are also several dozen types of indoor ivy. Such varieties are used in decorating lobbies, office premises.

Pelargonium - relative or neighbor

Pelargonium ivy with its leaves is very similar to ivy. It grows mainly as a shrub, but there is also an ampelous one. Used as a houseplant. Sometimes it is planted outside in the summer. Just like common ivy, it is an evergreen plant. Brought from the same countries as the vines. The nature of those lands is rich in beautiful plants that delight the eye.

Ivy: where it grows

Madagascar is considered the birthplace of Xedera helix. In Russia, it grows in the Crimea, in the Caucasus. She is also found in Central Asia, as well as in Africa and Asia. Hedera chose places with a subtropical climate for natural growth. There she can even crawl over rocks. Sucker roots not only help to stay on a smooth surface, but also provide additional nutrition. In warm climates, the plant reaches a height of more than 30 m.

Hedera also grows in average climates. Of course, it does not reach such dimensions as in the subtropics, but it feels normal. Ripening of berries can only be seen on indoor plants. This happens not earlier than 10 years after planting. And indoor ivy blooms reluctantly.

Room view

Common ivy (Hedera helix) at home

Indoor ivies are popular, they do not require special care, while endowing the room with a lot of greenery. Avoid direct sunlight on the leaves. Ivy does not like frequent movements. It is better to water the plant with water at room temperature. It does not have to be immediately from the tap, it is imperative to let it settle.Ivy is indifferent to drafts and temperature changes, but its numerous leaves love a warm shower.

In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied, and during the growth, potash fertilizers, but not more than 2 times a month.

With good care, the header grows quickly. You need to transplant the plant at least once every 3 years. The signal for transplanting is the appearance of roots in the drainage hole of the pot.

Reproduction is practiced by cuttings. Curly ivy quickly grows roots.

In Central Russia, several types of street ivy take root. With proper care, the plant can reach 25 m, and the leaves of garden ivy - 20 cm. Hedera can be both a vertical decoration and a ground cover. The plant is considered shade-tolerant, so it can be planted under the crowns of trees like a carpet.

The most popular street variety is Professor Seneta. It was bred by breeders and can easily reach 20 m. It is used by local gardeners both for vertical gardening and for replacing the lawn.

Planting is best done in elevated, wind-protected areas. It is best to do this in the spring so that the plant gains strength for the winter. The plant's frost resistance is quite high. The roots of the plant are small, reaching a depth of about 20 cm.

When planting, be sure to make a drainage layer in the hole. For good growth, the soil periodically needs to be loosened and peat or compost for mulching added. Watering should be regular. Without special spraying of the crown, a large number of parasites can settle in the greenery. Pests are very fond of leaves and can cause significant harm to the flower. Treatment products can be purchased at specialized stores.

Diseases

You need to propagate the garden heder with horse cuttings. Basically, when decorating the garden, varietal species are used, so seed propagation is impossible. For the first time, cuttings can be rooted in a greenhouse. When a sufficient number of new leaves appear, you can transplant to a permanent place.

Another way of breeding vines is by layering. The method is suitable for both indoor and garden plants. A strong shoot with a sufficient number of buds is selected, buried in the ground. After the plant takes root, it is cut off from the mother bush. And then landing in another place is possible.

Medicinal properties

In addition to the evergreen crown, ivy has medicinal properties that have been proven by scientists. Along with the benefit, one must not forget that it also contains poisonous compounds. But, despite this, you should not be afraid of this plant. Many medicines have been developed using components from this plant. Beekeepers note its great honey content.

Ivy pollen honey

Medicines with ivy components have expectorant, antibacterial properties, and are also used in wound healing. Herbal medicine recommends ivy as a means to boost immunity. The benefits of ivy infusion in improving the functioning of the liver, gallbladder, gout have long been proven.

Ivy is popularly used to remove warts and calluses. They are used to treat boils and purulent wounds. The most interesting thing is that with the help of this climbing bush, you can fight baldness. Leaf infusions provoke the restoration of hair follicles.

Thus, common ivy can delight not only with its evergreen beauty, but also with many medicinal properties. In addition, a vine, gifted with proper care, will decorate any garden. And honey, which is obtained after collecting pollen, is quite rare and very useful.