Other Products ｜English Ivy

English Ivy (Hedera helix) is one of the most versatile evergreen groundcovers available — equally at home carpeting a shaded woodland floor, stabilizing an eroding slope, or climbing a fence or wall to create instant vertical greenery. Glossy dark green foliage holds its color year-round, giving your landscape structure and life even in the depths of winter. Hardy in zones 3–9.

Best for: Shade gardens, under trees, slopes, erosion control, vertical coverage on fences and walls, and low-maintenance lawn replacement.

Why Gardeners Choose English Ivy

Thrives in shade: One of the most shade-tolerant evergreen groundcovers available — performs well from partial shade to full shade where lawn grass fails entirely.

Dual-purpose growth habit: Spreads as a dense, weed-suppressing groundcover or climbs vertically on fences, walls, and trellises — one plant, two landscape solutions.

Evergreen year-round: Glossy dark foliage stays attractive through winter, providing structure and greenery when the rest of the landscape goes dormant.

Fast coverage: Vigorous growth habit fills open ground and vertical surfaces quickly, making it ideal for large areas that need rapid establishment.

Erosion control on slopes: Dense rooting network binds soil effectively on banks, hillsides, and slopes where turf grass won't hold.

Low maintenance once established: Drought-tolerant after establishment, pest-resistant, and requires only occasional pruning to control spread.

Planting & Care

Light: Partial shade to full shade; tolerates some morning sun. Avoid intense afternoon sun in hot climates.

Soil: Adaptable — prefers well-drained soil but tolerates a wide range of soil types and moisture levels.

Growth rate: Fast — establishes and spreads aggressively once rooted in.

Mature size as groundcover: 6–9 inches tall; spreads indefinitely by trailing stems that root at nodes.

Mature size as climber: Climbs 20–80 feet on vertical surfaces using aerial rootlets — prune to control height.

Spacing: 18 inches apart for dense groundcover; 25 bare root plants cover approximately 50–75 sq. ft.

Watering: Water consistently during the first 4–6 weeks of establishment. Very low water needs once rooted in.

Feeding: Light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring supports vigorous new growth. Not required once established.

Pruning: Trim edges annually to control spread. Shear hard in early spring to refresh dense plantings and encourage compact new growth.

Best Uses

Shaded areas under established trees and large shrubs
Slopes, banks, and erosion-prone hillsides
Fences, walls, trellises, and vertical accent structures
Lawn replacement in low-traffic shaded areas
Decorative containers, hanging baskets, and trailing accents
Large-scale mass plantings for fast coverage

Grows Best In

USDA Zones: 3–9

Climate notes: Exceptionally cold-hardy and adaptable across a wide climate range. Performs well in humid, woodland, coastal, and urban conditions. Drought-tolerant once established. Note: English Ivy can spread aggressively — trim regularly to control spread and check local guidelines, as it may be considered invasive in some regions.

Problem Solved
English Ivy is the go-to solution for shaded areas where nothing else will grow — under dense tree canopies, on north-facing slopes, and in dry shade where lawn grass gives up entirely. It also solves the vertical coverage problem: no other commonly available evergreen vine climbs and covers as reliably or as quickly.
Also the right choice for gardeners tired of mulching the same bare areas every year — one planting of English Ivy establishes permanently and eliminates the need to remulch. For a non-climbing evergreen alternative in the same shaded groundcover role, Vinca minor 'Bowles' is an excellent companion or substitute — same fast spread and year-round green, without the vertical climbing habit.

Pro Tip
For the fastest slope coverage, plant bare root plants at 12-inch spacing and water consistently for the first 6 weeks. Once the trailing stems begin rooting at their nodes, the planting becomes nearly self-sustaining — each rooted node becomes a new plant, and coverage accelerates dramatically in years 2 and 3.

Bare Root Arrival Care

Unbox immediately upon arrival and submerge root systems in cool water overnight to rehydrate before planting.

Plant the following day into loosened, damp soil. Ensure crowns are at soil level.

Shade for 14 days: Protect newly planted vines from intense direct sun for the first two weeks. Light straw mulch or temporary shade cloth works well.

Shipping Information

Available as 2.5" potted plants (1 plant) or bare root bundles (25 plants per order).
Ships to all 48 contiguous states.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is English Ivy invasive?It can spread aggressively if unmanaged. Annual trimming keeps it in check. Check your local guidelines — it is considered invasive in some states and regions.
How fast does it spread?Fast — expect visible spread within the first growing season after establishment, with dramatic coverage acceleration in years 2–3 as trailing stems root at nodes.
Will it grow on a brick wall?Yes — English Ivy climbs brick, stone, wood, and most vertical surfaces using aerial rootlets. Note that removal from brick can be difficult once established. For a lower-maintenance evergreen climber on walls and fences, Purple Wintercreeper is a great alternative — similar evergreen coverage with colorful purple-tinged winter foliage.
Is it deer resistant?Moderately — it is not a preferred browse plant, but deer may sample it in areas with heavy pressure.
Can I use it as a lawn substitute?Yes — it forms a thick, low-maintenance evergreen carpet that eliminates mowing and dramatically reduces watering needs in shaded areas.

Related Collections

Evergreen Groundcovers
Fast Growing Groundcovers
Erosion Control Plants
Shade Groundcover Plants
Plants for Under Trees
Vines
Brand:Green Wood NurserySKU:IVY ENG 2.5PT-1Tags:Growth Rate: Fast-Growing, Light Requirement: Full Sun, Light Requirement: Partial, Mature Height: 6 - 10ft, Planting Zone: 3, Planting Zone: 5, Planting Zone: 6, Planting Zone: 7, Planting Zone: 8, Planting Zone: 9, Planting Zone:4, template-updated-2026Size Of Plants:English Ivy - 2.5 Inch Pot - 1 Plant, English Ivy - Bare Root - 25 Plants Per Order