Hedera algeriensis Algerian Bellecour

This Algerian Bellecour Ivy is a creeping form ivy, discovered in the 80s in the Bellecour district in Lyon. It is distinguished by its abundant foliage, which is a bright light green in spring, turning a beautiful dark green in summer. This vigorous variety quickly forms a remarkable evergreen groundcover, very useful in partially shaded or even shady areas where few plants are willing to grow. Ideal for dressing a large slope or the base of a hedge, it is not afraid of drought or mediocre, dry soils in summer. It is THE perfect plant for combating weeds and covering the ground evenly.

The Algerian Ivy, Hedera algeriensis, is a botanical species native to the Tunisian and Algerian coasts, where it grows up into mountainous areas. 'Algerian Bellecour' stands out for its ever-changing foliage colours from spring to summer, as well as its more sprawling habit rather than climbing. Ivies belong to the Araliaceae family, they are cousins of Ginseng and fatsias. Its growth is rapid, allowing it to reach a length of 8 to 10 metres (26 to 33 feet) and a height of 40 to 50 centimetres (16 to 20 inches) in just a few years. Its large, ovate, coriaceous leaves with slightly marked 3 lobes, measuring 12-16 cm (5-6in) long by 10-15 cm (4-6in) wide, have a bright acidic green colour in spring, which darkens significantly with age. Its reddish branches, partially covered with greyish star-shaped hairs, run along the ground. Unlike many varieties, Bellecour Ivy is a sterile variety that does not produce flowers or fruits. Thanks to this, it does not self-seed and can therefore maintain its own characteristics.

It suits everything, and everything suits it! A statement that sounds like a plea for this modest but greatly useful plant, often criticized by gardeners. Algerian Bellecour Ivy quickly enhances all the slightly difficult areas of the garden, in the sun or even in the shade, in a soil full of roots, dry in summer, and limestone, where no lawn can establish itself. Its luxuriant vegetation effectively and perfectly covers the ground, eventually discouraging weeds. To brighten up its monochrome foliage, you can plant spring-flowering bulbs such as botanical narcissus or muscari, which will emerge from the carpet of vibrant green in spring. Algerian Bellecour Ivy is also a good wall cover for all exposures; when trained, it displays a gracefully trailing habit. For example, associate it with periwinkles, Pachysandra terminalis, or a Clematis The President to create large, original, and colourful groundcover on a slope.

Did you know?

Ivy is a depollutant, capable of absorbing pollutants such as benzene from vehicle exhaust in the air. This plant is not afraid of salted soils caused winter gritting, nor cold, nor drought. Even though their reputation as destroyers is well established, ivies have protected old dilapidated walls more than they have destroyed them; it is the removal of this plant firmly rooted in the crevices that causes the masonry to collapse, while the plant maintains its integrity.