Hedera algeriensis

N. Africa; 5 - 8m
Planting position: Full sun or semi-shade. Areas without the severest frost. Ideal for areas with high summer rainfall.
Requires regular watering, especially during summer and during dry spells. Moist soil, enriched with compost. Applications of nitrogen fertiliser, twice annually. Prune when necessary, except in autumn. Watch out for scale insects and leaf spot.
Propagate from summer semi-hardwood cuttings.
This vigorous evergreen will reach great heights if left alone. Leathery leaves are usually 3 - 5 lobed and young stems purplish red.
H. canariensis (5 - 7m) is a vigorous and evergreen Ivy with 3 - 7 lobed leaves.
H. colchica ‘Sulphur Heart’ (5m) has yellow blotches in the centre of its leathery leaves.
H. cristata (2m) has evergreen leaves with wrinkled edges.
H. helix (5 - 15m) is the well-known English ivy with small 5 lobed, evergreen leaves.
H. helix ‘Buttercup’ with its yellowish foliage changing to lime green with maturity.
H. helix ‘Glacier’ has creamy margined, greyish leaves.
H. helix ‘Gloire de Marengo’ has variegated leaves in green and cream shades.
H. helix ‘Goldheart’ with golden blotches in the centre of its dark green leaves.
H. helix ‘Jubilee’ has grey and white variegations on its dark green leaves.
H. helix ‘Little Diamond’ is a dwarf variety with 3 lobed, diamond-shaped leaves, greyish-green in colour with a creamy margin.
H. helix ‘Luzii’ has green, 5 lobed leaves, all mottled yellow and lighter green.