Hedera helix Woerner - Common Ivy

Hedera helix 'Woerner' is a variety of Ivy with a fast growth rate, capable of covering large ground surfaces and climbing high in trees or on a wall thanks to its climbing roots. Its medium-sized leaves are a beautiful dark green colour with lighter veins. Hardy (at least down to -20°C (-4°F)), it prefers moist humus-rich soil in shaded areas. Decorative all year round, its foliage takes on a bronze hue in winter due to the cold.

Ivies belong to the Araliaceae family, they are cousins of Ginseng and Fatsias. This family includes around fifty genera and hundreds of species and is quite varied, hosting both trees, lianas, shrubs, and even some herbaceous plants. The Hedera genus itself includes about a dozen species, the most common in Europe being our common Ivy or Hedera helix. This giant of our forests can reach lengths of tens of meters and climb to the top of the surrounding trees.

Hedera helix 'Woerner' is a cultivar of a wild Ivy, less invasive, but still showing good vigour as it reaches a height of 7 to 10m (23 to 33ft) with a spread of 5 to 8m (16 to 26ft). Like the species, it has climbing roots, which are transformed adventitious roots capable of clinging to various supports, such as walls or tree trunks. These false roots can become problematic for masonry coatings, gutters, or other finishes, as they can infiltrate small gaps. Similarly, due to its significant growth rate, this Ivy should not be planted near young trees that could be invaded. On the other hand, it will be perfect as ground cover in an understory where low light limits the planting of other vegetation.
Its evergreen foliage is indeed quite decorative, consisting of dark green trilobed leaves with a shiny surface, which turn more or less purplish bronze in winter. Mature plants flower around the age of 10, emitting small umbels of yellow-green flowers in September-October which are appreciated by bees at this late season. They are followed by black berries, the size of a pea, which ripen the following spring. Beware, they are toxic!
Not afraid of the cold, this variety will thrive in most soils, neutral or alkaline, and even slightly acidic, preferably humus-rich and slightly moist (although it can tolerate dryness once well rooted). On the other hand, it should be avoided in a very sunny position, it thrives in partial shade or even shade, where few other plants can grow properly.

The 'Woerner' Ivy is a variety for large spaces, there is no point in trying to confine it to a small embankment or a narrow wall. It will be perfect in an understory under the shade of tall trees that will not suffer from its rampant growth. You can plant it alongside Ilex Golden King, a Holly with yellow variegated leaves that will bring a bright touch to this scene in green tones. Even more striking, Aucuba japonica Golden king will contribute its mass of predominantly golden yellow leaves that will contrast with the dark green carpet of our Ivy. With Mahonia Media Charity, it is the long panicles of flowers that will brighten up the dark winter days with their beautiful bright yellow colour. On the deciduous side, bet on the Alder Buckthorn or Rhamnus frangula, a wild plant that is quite unknown despite its beautiful autumn colours and decorative fruits.