Hedera colchica - Persian Ivy

Hedera colchica is known by various names depending on the region, such as Persian Ivy, Colchis Ivy, or Caucasian Ivy. It is a highly vigorous botanical species capable of covering large areas on the ground or along vertical walls. Its main strengths are its good cold resistance, longevity, and the undeniable beauty of its abundant evergreen foliage in a vibrant green colour. Less common than our common ivy (Hedera helix), it also grows much slower, prefers humid climates, and requires consistently moist soil throughout the year. It is an extraordinary plant for magnificently greening a wall, dressing up a fence or creating a fantastic green room.

Ivies belong to the Araliaceae family and are related to Ginseng and fatsias. Colchis Ivy is native to the Near and Middle East, from the Turkish coast of the Black Sea to Asia Minor (Afghanistan, Persian Gulf, and some islands in the Red Sea). It is found in forested areas with humid microclimates, frequent mists, and near watercourses. This slow-growing climbing plant can reach a height of 30 metres (98 feet) in nature, climbing cliffs and tall trees. It will spread along the ground if it doesn't find a vertical support. This plant attaches to its support using aerial roots that transform into small climbing roots. Specimens over 400 years old exist.

Persian Ivy can easily cover an area of 10m² in our gardens. The plant forms long, flexible branches, about 5 to 8 mm (0in) thick, which lignify with age. They bear evergreen, opposite leaves that vary in appearance depending on the age and position of the branch. The leaves at the base of the ivy are extensive and have shallowly lobed edges. The leaves in the middle part of the plant, which are the majority, are huge, measuring up to 25 cm (10in) long, heart-shaped, and have barely toothed edges. Finally, the leaves on the elevated stems, exposed to light, are smaller and elongated. It is on these aerial stems that flowers appear in late summer. The flowers, greenish in colour, are inconspicuous but gathered in large spherical clusters. They are rich in nectar and provide food for numerous insects and small animals. After pollination, the flowers produce small black berries that birds love. It is the birds that spread the seeds in the surrounding area.

Colchis Ivy undeniably enhances everything it touches in moist soil and elegantly covers up anything it needs to hide, including unsightly structures or withered conifers in a single-species hedge. This use can be accompanied by evergreen bushes such as Bay Laurel, Elaeagnus ebbingei, or even a climbing hydrangea in shaded areas. It effectively and perfectly covers the ground, eventually discouraging weeds. Spring-flowering bulbs like botanical narcissus or muscari can be planted to add variety to their monochrome foliage, emerging from the green carpet in spring. Hedera colchica is a good wall cover, but be careful not to let it become invasive. Although it has a reputation for demolishing, it has protected old, dilapidated walls more than it has destroyed them; removing this plant firmly rooted in the crevices causes the masonry structure to collapse while the plant maintains its integrity. However, it should be avoided on facades. Pair it with dense perennials to keep the soil fresh at its base.