Hedera helix CourageCommon ivy

Hedera helix 'Courage' is a variety of common ivy appreciated for its arrow-shaped, variegated evergreen foliage, its hardiness, ease of cultivation, and ability to climb on various structures. It is perfect for covering walls, fences, or as ground cover in shaded areas. It thrives in deep soils but shows resistance to dry conditions once established.

The common ivy, Hedera helix, is a plant from the Araliaceae family that grows in all undergrowth, where it can be seen climbing tree trunks or running along the ground. It is one of the easiest species to recognise, with its persistent and leathery leaves, more or less lobed, and prominent veins. This is a juvenile stage: when it reaches the top of its support (a wall, a tree...), the ivy becomes adult and produces entire leaves, without lobes. Between September and November, adult ivy blooms, forming small greenish-white umbels. While not especially decorative, they are extremely useful for pollinators, providing a late source of nectar. These flowers are followed by small black berries, loved by birds but toxic to humans. Ivy is capable of clinging on its own, thanks to its sturdy climbing roots carried by the young stems.

Hedera helix 'Courage' comes from a sowing of the 'Maple Leaf' variety. This plant features dark green, star-shaped, irregularly toothed, 5-lobed leaves, with golden or bright green margins. The leaf colour is more pronounced under bright conditions. This climbing and evergreen plant can reach approximately 3 m in height, with moderate growth. The arrow-shaped leaves have large teeth on the edges, offering an interesting contrast between their yellow border and the green interior of the surface. Growing 'Courage' ivy is very easy: provide it with deep, even calcareous or clayey, moist to wet soil, and it will establish itself permanently. It is also very hardy (-20°C). It prefers shade or partial shade, at least in the first few years, but once established, it shows great adaptability, even when the soil is somewhat dry.

Hedera helix 'Courage' can be planted in the garden or in pots. It can be used to dress walls, trellises, or fences. This variety also works well as ground cover: it helps prevent erosion and keeps the soil moist. In a planter, flower bed, or pot, it brings an elegant touch of greenery throughout the year. It can be paired with shrubby fuchsias, such as Fuchsia magellanica 'Riccartonii', tiarellas like Tiarella 'Angel Wings', small periwinkles Vinca minor 'Valentin', and small spring bulbs. Among the bulbs, you can include crocuses (Crocus chrysanthus 'Zenith), snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis), and grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum).

Contrary to common belief, ivy does not harm trees (it simply uses them as support). It may be that an old tree covered with ivy falls, but it is often the weight of its vegetation that bends an already weakened trunk. Furthermore, it will only damage a wall if the plaster is already degraded and cracked. There is therefore no risk in letting it climb a healthy wall. With its ecological usefulness, it would be a shame not to grow it!