Hedera helix Profesor Seneta - Common ivy

The Hedera helix 'Profesor Seneta' is an interesting selection of common ivy for its large, remarkably variegated leaves and natural vigor. Its large, evergreen leaves are triangular in shape and randomly marbled, splashed, and speckled with white, pale yellow, and various shades of green. Ornamental all year round, perfectly elegant, this ivy is a botanical adornment. As a climbing plant par excellence, it can cling to any support using its climbing roots to form a beautiful green wall, or spread out as a wide ground cover.

Ivies belong to the Araliaceae family, they are cousins of Ginseng and fatsias. The Hedera helix 'Profesor Seneta' is a Polish variety selected by Dariusz Wyrwicki. This plant descends from our common ivy, which is found everywhere in our forests, countryside, and gardens. The latter is native to the entire temperate Eurasian zone of the Northern Hemisphere.

The Hedera helix 'Profesor Seneta' is a fast-growing climbing or creeping plant, growing at a rate of about 1 metre per year, and can easily cover an area of 3 square metres. Its evergreen leaves in winter are triangular, divided into 3 to 5 lobes, measuring 8 to 12 cm in all directions. They are carried by thick, green, then greyish, star-shaped hairy branches. Each leaf is different, each presenting varied patterns in a palette of white, pale yellow, light green, lime green, and very dark green. The stems cling to supports on their own with powerful climbing roots. In autumn, its inconspicuous green flowering, in the form of globular inflorescences, is an excellent source of nectar for bees. It is followed by the formation of black-blue berries, toxic to humans but representing an excellent source of winter food for birds.

The Hedera helix 'Profesor Seneta', perfectly hardy, adapts everywhere except for hot or arid exposures. Its superb variegated foliage, however, requires a bright exposure to fully express its potential. This plant is an excellent wall cover, but do not abuse it, as it can damage old facades. On the other hand, a modern wall or a sad and grey cement fence will have little to fear from it as long as one does not attempt to forcibly remove it. It also forms a superb ground cover capable of discouraging weeds at the base of trees in the long term. Associate it with easy-going woodland perennials such as periwinkles, for example. You can also plant it in a large container, from which it will cascade in variegated garlands.