English Ivy Hedera helix 'Glacier' (v)

Names

• Family

  Araliaceae.

• Synonyms

  English Ivy, Common Ivy, European Ivy.

• Common names

  Hedera helix 'Glacier'.

Toxicity

• To humans

  English Ivy, when ingested by humans, can be toxic and cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The plant also contains compounds that can irritate the skin and mucous membranes, so handling it might lead to dermatitis or other skin irritations. In severe cases, consuming large quantities can result in more serious conditions such as difficulty in breathing, fever, polydipsia (excessive thirst), delirium, hallucinations, convulsions, or even coma. It is therefore advisable to keep English Ivy out of reach of children who might accidentally ingest the plant.

• To pets

  English Ivy is toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. If a pet ingests parts of the plant, it may exhibit symptoms including vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to more critical symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, weakness, ataxia (loss of coordination), and occasionally can result in coma or death if left untreated. It is important to prevent pets from having access to English Ivy and to seek veterinary care immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Evergreen

• Color of leaves

  Variegated

• Height

  6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters)

• Spread

  6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters)

• Plant type

  Climber

• Hardiness zones

  5-9

• Native area

  Europe

General Benefits

• Easy to Grow: Tolerates a variety of conditions and can thrive in different environments without much care.
• Visual Appeal: Adds a decorative touch with its variegated leaves, enhancing the aesthetics of gardens, terraces, and indoor spaces.
• Covers Ground: Excellent for ground cover, effectively suppressing weeds and reducing garden maintenance.
• Vertical Gardening: Climbs walls and structures, which is perfect for creating green facades and saving space.
• Erosion Control: Its root system stabilizes soil and helps to prevent erosion on slopes and banks.
• Seasonal Interest: Retains its foliage all year round, providing greenery throughout the seasons.
• Wildlife Support: Offers habitat and sometimes food for birds and insects, promoting biodiversity.

Medical Properties

• Expectorant: English ivy may help alleviate symptoms of bronchitis and asthma by loosening mucus.
• Anti-inflammatory: The saponins present in English ivy may reduce swelling and help with conditions such as arthritis.
• Antispasmodic: It has the potential to relieve smooth muscle spasms, possibly aiding those with coughs.
• Antimicrobial: English ivy extracts have shown some antimicrobial activity which might contribute to its use in skin conditions.
• Antioxidant: The plant contains flavonoids and polyphenols that may have antioxidant properties.
• Mucolytic: English ivy may help break down mucus and make it easier to cough up.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Topiary Art - English ivy can be sculpted into various shapes to create living art pieces for gardens and landscapes.
• Erosion Control - The dense matting of ivy roots can help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes or banks.
• Privacy Screening - The vigorous growth of English ivy can be used to create a green privacy screen on fences or walls.
• Sound Barrier - Thick growth of ivy on walls can absorb and reduce noise pollution in urban environments.
• Craft Material - The vines of English ivy can be used for making wreaths or other decorative crafts.
• Covering Unsightly Areas - English ivy can camouflage and beautify areas like compost heaps, or unsightly walls and fences.
• Zoo Habitat Enrichment - The plants can be used to recreate naturalistic environments for certain animals in zoos.
• Urban Wildlife Support - Provides shelter and sometimes berries for birds and other urban wildlife within its growth.
• Photography Backdrop - The intricate patterns of English ivy leaves can serve as a natural backdrop for photographers.
• Film and Theatre - Used as a set decoration to create an aged or natural look in film and theatre productions.

Feng Shui

The English Ivy is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The English Ivy is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Friendship and Affection: Commonly known as English Ivy, Hedera helix 'Glacier' often symbolizes strong emotional bonds. The plant's tendency to cling to surfaces powerfully and persistently is reminiscent of the clinging nature of love and friendship.
• Fidelity: English Ivy's evergreen quality makes it a symbol of fidelity and long-lasting relationships. Its perennial nature represents the constancy and reliability one can expect in a committed partnership.
• Eternal life: The ivy's ability to remain green throughout the year has long been associated with immortality and eternal life in various cultures.
• Protection: Historically, English Ivy was often believed to protect against evil spirits and negative energy, possibly due to its enclosing, intertwining growth habit which could be seen as forming a protective barrier.
• Prosperity: Due to its vigorous growth, ivy is also a symbol of prosperity and abundance. It suggests that whatever it touches will grow and flourish profusely.
• Intellectual Growth: The plant's propensity to climb toward the light is sometimes paralleled with the pursuit of knowledge and the growth of the intellect.