Hedera helix 'Mathilde' (v)
ivy 'Mathilde'
Fast-growing, self-clinging, evergreen climber about 5m tall, bearing green and grey-blotched leaves with creamy-white margins that emphasise the jagged leaf outline. This margin is often lost when grown in shade. May produce small flowers in greenish umbels during autumn followed by black berries, on mature foliage
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver Cream | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver Cream | |||
| Autumn | Green | Green Grey Silver Cream | Black | |
| Winter | Green Grey Silver Cream |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Araliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Climbing
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten: skin irritant/allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten, skin irritant/allergen. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Hedera are evergreen climbing shrubs clinging by aerial roots. Clusters of small yellow-green flowers are followed by usually black berries. Foliage of flowering shoots is often less deeply lobed than that of the sterile, climbing shoots
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Tolerant of a range of soils and conditions but grows best in ferile, humus-rich well-drained alkaline soil in a sheltered spot. See Hedera (ivy) cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings at any time, semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings from late summer to late winter, layering or grafting at any time
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Ground cover
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 11, at any time
Pests
May be susceptible to red spider mites, scale insects and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and a leaf spot
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.