English Ivy

English ivy Hedera hibernica ‘Hibernica’; Hedera helix ‘Pittsburgh’; Hedera helix ‘Baltica’; and Hedera helix ‘Star’ Araliaceae family
Key identifying traits Juvenile woody vines grow to 99 feet and produce adventitious roots that cling to vertical surfaces Adult branches extend away from juvenile vine support and do not have clinging roots Young leaves are deeply lobed and hairy but adult leaves are not--all leaves are alternate and leathery with long stems Small greenish-white flowers in umbrella like clusters in the fall-dark berry like fruit mature in the spring with 4 to 5 seeds Biology and ecology An evergreen woody perennial Of more than 400 different English ivy cultivars these are the ones known to exhibit invasive potential in the Pacific Northwest and should be avoided as landscape plantings Popular as inexpensive, hardy ground cover Native to northern and subtropical Europe & Asia Introduced as an ornamental & birds move seeds Control Prevention – Learn to identify plants; don’t transplant these pretty plants to your home; research nursery and catalogue specimens before buying Biological – None known at this time Cultural – Healthy native plant communities help reduce likelihood of establishment but don’t stop it Mechanical – Cutting, burning and pulling can be effective if thorough and persistent Chemical – Several effective at label rates especially on regrowth following cutting-waxy cuticle necessitates use of appropriate surfactants- tolerant of commonly used pre-emergent herbicides. The PNW Weed Management Handbook does not have these weeds listed for control recommendations *Where found –* Occasionally found as an ornamental planting in Stevens County, but not yet as aggressive or problematic as on the west side of the state. MSdoc pdf	hibernica ‘Hibernica’
	helix ‘Pittsburg’
	helix ‘Baltica’
	helix ‘Star’
	helix-unknown var. (TNC photo)