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what is hedera helix

If you're searching for "what is hedera helix", you're likely curious about the lush, hardy plant commonly known as English ivy. Hedera helix is an evergreen climbing vine, treasured in New Zealand gardens for its versatility, resilience, and decorative appeal. Boasting classic, lobed leaves and fast-growing habits, it can serve as a ground cover, stunning wall climber, or as elegant trailing greenery in containers and hanging baskets. With a reputation for thriving in challenging spots—from deep shade to partial sunlight—this plant offers beauty and adaptability for many outdoor and indoor spaces.

Hedera 'Golden Ingot' plant with green and yellow foliage.

Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot'

Hedera helix ‘Golden Ingot’ is a striking evergreen ivy admired for its bright golden-yellow foliage edged with soft green tones. This compact and hardy climber provides year-round colour and texture, perfect for brightening shaded or dull garden areas. It’s ideal for use as ground cover, a trailing plant, or for training on trellises and walls.

From $17.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Arches, Banks, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen, Walls
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' creeping stems with green foliage.

Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

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Hedera helix ‘Needlepoint’ is a refined evergreen ivy featuring small, deeply lobed leaves with a delicate, pointed shape. This compact and elegant variety provides year-round greenery and texture, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Arches, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening, Walls
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern
Hedera canariensis variegata green and cream foliage.
Hedera canariensis Variegata

Hedera canariensis ‘Variegata’ is a striking evergreen climber known for its large, glossy green leaves edged with creamy-white variegation. This...

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Gardenia 'Fragrant Star' white flowers and dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Fragrant Star'

Gardenia 'Fragrant Star' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its intensely perfumed, star-shaped white flowers and glossy green foliage...

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Corokia contoneaster shrub.
Corokia cotoneaster

Corokia cotoneaster, commonly known as the Wire-Netting Bush, features tough, dark stems that give the plant an appearance akin to wire mesh. This NZ...

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Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.
Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra Tanika is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a graceful...

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Large Muehlenbeckia astonii shrub in a garden.
Muehlenbeckia astonii (Mingimingi)

Muehlenbeckia astonii, commonly known as the Wiggy Wig Bush or Shrubby Tororaro, is a distinctive New Zealand native shrub characterised by its...

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Corokia Frosted Chocolate showcasing its lush green and brown foliage.
Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate'

Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate', commonly known as Korokio, is a hardy, NZ native shrub with lovely foliage and an interesting form. It grows as a mass...

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Corokia 'Geenty's Green' hedge.
Corokia 'Geenty's Green'

Corokia 'Geenty's Green' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that bears narrow, olive-green leaves that have a silver underside. Masses of small, star-like...

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Buxus sempervirens perfectly manicured balls.
Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)

Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as English Box or Box Hedge, is a classic evergreen shrub popular in New Zealand for formal hedging and topiary...

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Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) plants in flower with lush green foliage in a border garden.
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium cirratum, commonly known as Rengarenga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It...

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A large Corokia 'Mangatangi' hedge.
Corokia 'Mangatangi'

Corokia 'Mangatangi' is a NZ native shrub that features fine, silver coloured foliage which gives the plant a somewhat misty look. It is adorned with...

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Coprosma robusta (Karamu) shrub growing as a specimen in a garden.
Coprosma robusta (Karamu)

Coprosma robusta, commonly known as Karamu, is a versatile New Zealand native shrub or small tree reaching up to 6 metres in height. It features...

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Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald' hedge.
Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald'

Griselinia Ardmore Emerald is a lush, NZ-native shrub known for its glossy, deep green foliage and dense, upright growth. It typically reaches 3-4...

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Lomandra Nyalla grass with blue-green foliage in a border planting.
Lomandra Nyalla

Lomandra Nyalla is a hardy ornamental grass featuring delicate, lush green foliage and a graceful, arching form. Reaching approximately 80 cm in...

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Buxus harlandii shrub with dense, green foliage.
Buxus harlandii

Buxus harlandii grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide with charming, bright green leaves. Best results with this evergreen shrub are achieved...

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Pyracantha 'Brilliant' red berries with lush green foliage.
Pyracantha 'Brilliant' (Fire Thorn)

Pyracantha 'Brilliant' is an attractive shrub grown for its decorative berries. Clusters of dainty, white flowers are borne in spring and result in...

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Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.
Poa cita

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Griselinia Broadway Mint hedge with lush, green foliage.
Griselinia 'Broadway Mint'

Griselinia Broadway Mint, commonly known as NZ Broadleaf, is a fast-growing, evergreen New Zealand native shrub prized for its dense, glossy...

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Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
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Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

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Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.
Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

Phormium 'Emerald Gem' is a dwarf variety of Mountain Flax or Wharariki. It produces emerald-green leaves and grows to 60 cm tall and 70 cm wide in...

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Ignite Herbicide

Ignite is a selective herbicide used to control foreign grasses in a Fine Fescue lawn. It is not to be used on Tall Fescue or any other lawn types...

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Phormium cookianum

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...

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Buxus microphylla 'Koreana' (Korean Box) plant with lush, green foliage.
Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood)

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Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.
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Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.
Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

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Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

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Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.
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Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.
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Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.
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Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass valued for its vibrant lime green foliage and compact tidy growth habit. This versatile...

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Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) juvenile tree growing as a specimen in a park.
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Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buxus, Corokia, and Gardenia, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Grasses, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search what is hedera helix

Hedera helix: Key Features and Growth Habits

Hedera helix is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa but has become a popular staple in Kiwi landscapes. The plant's dense, glossy foliage creates a lush carpet or a living wall wherever it grows. One of its outstanding qualities is its ability to cling to nearly any surface—brick, trellis, fences, or trees—thanks to tiny rootlets along its stems.

Its leaves vary in shape and variegation, and mature plants may even display delicate, yellow-green flower clusters followed by dark, ornamental berries. Hedera helix prefers moist, well-draining soil but is remarkably tolerant of droughts and less-than-ideal environments once established.

Popular Varieties of Hedera helix

While the classic Hedera helix variety is most well-known, several cultivars offer unique colours and forms to suit various garden styles:

Uses and Benefits in the Garden

Hedera helix is more than just attractive—it's also functional in New Zealand gardens. Use it to:

Its dense growth can also help suppress weeds and reduce maintenance in tricky spots, making it a brilliant choice for landscaping.

Caring for Hedera helix

Once established, Hedera helix requires minimal care. Pruning can keep it tidy and prevent excessive spread, especially near native bush or trees. Water during extended dry spells, and fertilise lightly in spring if growth slows. Regular trimming will encourage lush, compact growth and allow you to shape the plant to fit your garden vision.

In summary, if you've been wondering what is hedera helix, it's a dependable, attractive, and practical choice for almost any Kiwi garden. Browse our wide range of Hedera helix and select distinct varieties like Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot', Hedera helix 'Goldheart', Hedera helix 'Needlepoint', and Hedera helix 'Pin Oak' to add timeless charm and greenery to your outdoor space.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Start your garden with Rose 'Flower Carpet White' and Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily', and add depth with lesser-known gems like Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant), Magnolia 'Cleopatra', and Westringia brevifolia.
–The Plant Company

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