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Hedera helix Reef Shell - Hedera helix Kappeln - Common ivy

Hedera helix Reef Shell
English ivy, Common ivy, European ivy

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More information

A compact ornamental ivy, remarkable for its shell-shaped foliage, strongly variegated with medium green, cream, and yellow. Its lovely leaves brighten shaded and semi-shaded areas, both in the ground and in pots. This loose ivy with modest and slow growth, is mostly used as a climbing plant. It is very cold-resistant and easy to cultivate.
Flower size
5 cm
Height at maturity
80 cm
Spread at maturity
60 cm
Exposure
Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time August to October
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Description

Hedera helix 'Reef Shell' is a small variety of common ivy that stands out for its unique foliage. Its pretty leaves shaped like a "shell" are heavily variegated with green, pale yellow, and cream. Despite its slow growth, this ornamental ivy is very hardy and easy to grow. With its sparsely branched vegetation, it is more often used as a climbing plant, especially in pots. A variety that brings a touch of light and originality to any setting!

Ivies belong to the Araliaceae family, being cousins of Ginseng and fatsias. Hedera helix 'Reef Shell' originates from the common ivy, found everywhere in forests, countryside, and gardens. The latter is native to the entire Eurasian temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. The ivy's stems cling on their own to supports with powerful climbing roots. This plant has produced numerous cultivars of varying sizes, with diverse foliage, some capable of flowering and fruiting once mature. The foliage carried by the flowering stems, located higher on the plant, differs from the foliage carried by the juvenile stems. The ivy's greenish, round inflorescences, are an excellent nectar source for bees. They are followed by the formation of blackish-blue berries, which are toxic to humans but are an excellent winter food source for birds.

Hedera helix 'Reef Shell' is an astonishing sport (or seedling) of the ornamental ivy 'Zebra'. It is a slow-growing climbing plant or creeper with a compact habit. Its stems are brown and sparsely branched, carrying non-lobed, shell-shaped leaves. These leaves measure around 4 to 7 cm and are all variegated with medium green, cream, and pale yellow. No leaf is entirely green. This variety does not produce visible flowers or fruits. The stems' bark is smooth and brown, adding an interesting texture to the plant. Hedera helix 'Reef Shell' can reach a height of 60 to 80 cm and a similar width, but it remains compact and does not spread as much as other ivies. Its beautiful foliage is evergreen in winter.

Hedera helix 'Reef Shell' will most often be used as a climbing plant on trellises or walls, planted in a large pot. It will also make a great impact in a container, from which it will cascade in variegated curtains. Although it does not cover the ground as much as other ivies, it is interesting for dressing the base of woody fuchsias in shaded areas of the garden. To accompany this ivy, consider, for example, Hosta 'Patriot' with its variegated leaves, Pulmonaria 'Trevi Fountain' for its blue flowers and speckled leaves, 'Heuchera 'Caramel' with its colourful foliage, and Tiarella 'Spring Symphony' with its delicate flowers and attractive foliage.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 80 cm
Spread at maturity 60 cm
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant
Flowering time August to October
Inflorescence Cluster
Fragrance slightly scented

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour variegated

Botanical data

Genus

Hedera

Species

helix

Cultivar

Reef Shell

Family

Araliaceae

Other common names

English ivy, Common ivy, European ivy

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference22515

Planting and care

Hedera helix 'Reef Shell' is easy to grow in regular soil and can be planted all year round except during heatwaves and frost. It prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil, but is very accommodating regarding the presence of limestone or clay if the soil is well worked. It is quite drought-resistant once established. Plant it against a wall, in a semi-shaded position sheltered from cold winds to help it establish, and monitor watering during the first 2 years after planting, especially in dry summers. To promote young shoots more quickly, fix the first ones to the ground (layering). You can rejuvenate the base by removing old branches. Prune regularly to shape it. Remove any branches that bear non-variegated leaves. You can let it run on the ground.

For container cultivation, mix 7 parts of regular soil, 3 parts of peat, and 2 parts of sand. Water regularly and provide fertiliser every month during the growing season. Keep the substrate moist during winter.

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Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
Type of support Trellis, Wall

Intended location

Suitable for Shaded rockery, Woodland edge
Type of use Container, Climbing
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, fertile

Care

Pruning instructions You can rejuvenate the base by removing old branches. Prune regularly to shape it. Remove branches that only bear green leaves, not variegated ones.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March to April
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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