Hedera helix Eva - Common Ivy

The Hedera helix Eva is a delightful variety of Common Ivy with beautifully variegated foliage, very hardy and indifferent to soil type. Its small evergreen leaves, trilobed in shape, are colored in two shades of green, with a creamy white margin around the edges. Ornamental all year round, it is perfect for brightening up partially shaded areas of the garden. As the ultimate climbing plant, it can cling to any support to create a beautiful green display, without the risk of becoming invasive, as its growth is limited.

Ivies belong to the Araliaceae family, cousins of Ginseng and Fatsias. This family includes around fifty genera and hundreds of species, and is quite polymorphous, hosting both trees and vines, as well as shrubs and even a few herbaceous plants. The genus Hedera itself consists of about a dozen species, the most common one in our latitudes being our Common Ivy or Hedera helix. This giant of our forests can reach lengths of tens of meters and climb to the tops of the surrounding trees.

Hedera helix 'Eva' is a variety with a much more modest growth than the typical botanical species. It is a sport of 'Harald', another variegated variety (a sport is a spontaneous mutation, which can then be reproduced if it has ornamental value). This 'Eva' Ivy reaches a height of 1.40m (5ft) or 1.50m (5ft) with a width of only 1m (3ft). Its small leaves are composed of 3 lobes, with the central lobe significantly longer than the lateral ones, and measure approximately 4 to 6cm (2in). Mostly green, in two shades, one light and the other darker, they are bordered by a decorative creamy white edge. Evergreen, they are aesthetically pleasing all year round, each one having a unique appearance, both in shape and color distribution. They bring a delicate touch of light to partially shaded or shaded areas of the garden, where this Ivy likes to grow. The stems attach themselves to supports with powerful climbing roots. In autumn, the nectar from its inconspicuous green flowering, in the form of globular inflorescences, is an excellent source of nectar for bees. It is followed by the formation of black berries, toxic to humans but representing an excellent winter food source for birds.
Very hardy, Eva Ivy can withstand temperatures of up to around -20°C and can be grown practically anywhere, without requiring any special maintenance. An ideal plant for small gardens and beginners.

Hedera helix 'Eva' will fit perfectly into a contemporary garden with its graphic foliage. It can decorate the base of a wall, bringing a small romantic touch, a bit wild, without the risk of becoming invasive. It will also be precious for creating the setting of a terrace or balcony, trained on a small wire structure or trailing in variegated drapes along large containers, down to the ground. In the garden, it forms an excellent ground cover capable of discouraging weeds in the long run. Pair it with easy-to-grow woodland perennials such as Epimedium, a genus that is still underutilized despite its many qualities, including the airy charm of its delicate flowers, earning it the nickname "Elf flower". You can also create a charming scene by planting it at the base of a tree trunk surrounded by a carpet of Lungworts, or Evergreen Hellebores with their precious winter flowering.