Hedera helix Clotted Cream - Common ivy

Hedera helix 'Clotted Cream' is a rather exceptional cultivar of the common ivy that was awarded in 2019 at Saint-Jean de Beauregard. Everyone will admire its leaves all wavy and pleated like a petticoat, finely edged in pale yellow. It is also very resistant to both cold and lack of water. It is suitable for gardens and planters, offering a wide range of uses.

Ivies belong to the Araliaceae family. The Hedera genus includes about a dozen species, the most common in our latitudes being the Common Ivy, in Latin Hedera helix. This giant of our forests can reach a length of dozens of metres and climb to the tops of trees. Its leaves are evergreen.

Hedera helix 'Clotted Cream' is distinguished by its toothed, evergreen leaves, with wavy edges, bordered in light salmon and then pale yellow on a light green background. This ivy climbs and clings thanks to its climbing roots, it can reach approximately 1.5 m in height with a spread of 1 m². This ivy prefers semi-shade or dry shade exposures, under trees, where it thrives fully. Its cold resistance is good (-18°C), making it a robust and versatile plant for various climates. However, it should be protected from too much sunlight that would burn its lovely evergreen foliage.

Hedera helix 'Clotted Cream' is versatile and can be used as ground cover, to dress a wall, or in a flower pot. Its "whipped cream" foliage pairs well with ferns (Dryopteris filix-mas), hostas (Hosta sieboldiana), coral bells (Heuchera 'Palace Purple'), and Christmas roses (Helleborus niger). These plants, all suited to semi-shade or shade conditions, will create a rich and diverse composition.