Hedera helix 'Mathilde' (v)

RHS Plant Profile
ivy 'Mathilde'
Plants for pollinators
Climber Wall Shrub

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical 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 eatenskin 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