17 Best Ivy For Ground Cover (2023 Updated)

English ivies are primarily sought as a trailing ground cover lawn alternative that quickly creeps to cover areas (especially beneath large trees, to cover bald spots where grass won’t grow) with a maintenance-free carpet of beautiful foliage.

They are also popular as a climbing vine (the roots attach to most surfaces: buildings, fences, trellises, walls,. ) and for topiaries. Often used to brighten shady areas, English ivies are sometimes grown as a climbing ornamental plant to cover buildings and reduce cooling costs.

They are tolerant of drought and perform best when the soil dries out between waterings. Ideal for slopes, northern exposures and erosion control. Infrequent foot traffic is tolerated, and they are tolerant of salt.

Baltic Ivy’ is considered the hardiest English Ivy. It has leaves that are somewhat smaller than the species and more deeply cut as well as being lightly white-veined and tinged with purple in the Winter months.

It’s a beautiful evergreen plant and very economical due to its quick coverage of an area, vining up to 30 or 40 feet.

Make your property more attractive with this English Ivy Plant set. You get 48 pieces per order to have enough to cover large areas. English ivies are primarily sought as a trailing groundcover lawn alternative that quickly creeps to cover areas.

This is especially true beneath large trees, to cover bald spots where grass won’t grow. These hardy groundcover plants create a maintenance-free carpet of beautiful foliage. They are also popular as a climbing vine (the roots attach to most surfaces, including buildings, fences, trellises and walls) and for topiaries.

Often used to brighten shady areas, English ivies are sometimes grown as a climbing ornamental plant to cover buildings and reduce cooling costs. They are tolerant of drought and perform best when the soil dries out between waterings.

They are ideal for slopes, northern exposures and erosion control. The garden plants in pots are ready to plant wherever you want.

Kenilworth Ivy (Cymbalaria Muralis) – Grow this lovely ground cover from seed! With scalloped leaves, and pretty lilac colored blooms, Kenilworth Ivy makes a wonderful ground cover plant. It performs well even in full shade, and it loves to cascade down a stone wall or spill over the sides of containers.

The Cymbalaria Muralis plant also makes charming hanging baskets.

If you are planting members of the Cymbalaria genus such as Kenilworth Ivy from seed outdoors then they should be sown on the soil surface after the last frost of spring. They like to grow in sunny areas, but benefit greatly from receiving shade in very hot areas.

Cymbalaria like to grow in moist soil that has a somewhat alkaline pH. Seedlings of Kenilworth Ivy and other Cymbalaria species can be grown from seed indoors. They should be set off about 10 weeks before you plant them out after the last frost of spring.

They normally take about two to four weeks to germinate in the light at a temperature of 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the Cymbalaria seedlings are ready they should be transplanted outside with a spacing of about 6 inches.

English Ivy, Hedra Helix, also known as common ivy in 50 count flat, 21/4″ peat pots. Evergreen foliage vine that is soft to the touch. Has the ability to cling and climb on various surfaces, Giving that old world European charm.

in the landscape. Common Name: English ivy Type: Vine Family: Araliaceae Native Range: Europe, Scandinavia, Russia Zone: 4 to 9 Height: 20. 00 to 80. 00 feet Spread: 3. 00 to 50. 00 feet Bloom Time: September to October Bloom Description: Greenish white Sun: Part shade to full shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize Flower: Insignificant Leaf: Evergreen Other: Winter Interest Tolerate: Drought, Heavy Shade Invasive: Where is this species invasive in the US? Garden locations This plant has been found to be weedy and potentially invasive and should not be planted in Midwestern gardens.

Culture Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Will also grow in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils, but prefers rich loams. Tolerates some drought, but produces best foliage color in evenly moist soils.

In the St. Louis area, plants will benefit from a placement that will provide some protection from winter wind and sun and from hot summer temperatures. Plants may be propagated vegetatively or by seed.

Birds help disperse seed. Spreading stems will root at the nodes where they touch the soil. Ground covers rarely need pruning except when they invade unintended areas. Ground covers may be trimmed on the edges with a spade or shears.

Noteworthy Characteristics Hedera helix, commonly known as English ivy, is a vigorous, aggressive, fast-growing, woody evergreen perennial that is primarily grown as a climbing vine or trailing ground cover.

As a climbing vine, it may over time grow upwards to 50-100′ in height. As a ground cover, it typically grows to 6-9″ tall but spreads over time to 50-100′. English ivy grows in two forms or stages: (1) juvenile stage is the climbing/spreading stage (most often seen) in which plants produces thick, 3-5 lobed, dark green leaves (to 4” long ) on non-flowering stems with adventitious roots, and (2) adult stage is the shrubby non-climbing stage in which lobeless, elliptic-ovate, dark green leaves appear on rootless stems that do not spread or climb, but do produce round, umbrella-like clusters of greenish-white flowers in early fall followed by blue-black berries.

Native to Europe, English ivy was brought to the U. S. by settlers in colonial days. It has been and continues to be widely sold in the U. S. as an ornamental plant. It has escaped gardens and naturalized in a large number of eastern, midwestern and pacific coast states.

In some climates such as in the Pacific Northwest, it is considered by some to be an invasive invader of woodland and open areas where it often aggressively displaces native vegetation by densely smothering large areas of ground with its trailing densely-leaved stems or by climbing into tree canopies via clinging aerial rootlets.

Genus name is the Latin name for ivy. Specific epithet from Greek means spiral or twisted. Problems Aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, loopers and scale may appear. Watch for leaf spots, canker, bacterial leaf spot, stem rot and powdery mildew.

Mites can be significant problem. Climbing vines around homes easily crawl into unintended areas, curl around gutters and damage painted surfaces, loose mortar or aluminum siding if growth is not closely monitored.

Ground cover. Lawn alternative. Smaller-leaved cultivars are often used for topiary shapes, hanging baskets, houseplants or small area ground covers.

Here’s a beautiful piece of dcor that you can display anywhere, anytime. This ivy tree is more than 40 in height, has several trunks and more than 1, 000 leaves. In addition, it’s fully uv resistant.

This indoor / outdoor decorative tree makes a welcome addition to any home or office dcor, and will look great for years without water or care.

Dwarf Mondo Grass is a clump forming grass like evergreen perennial. It is commonly used as a low lying border, in-between stepping stones or as a groundcover is shady areas where grass will not grow.

Mondo grass does produce a small inconspicuous white flower from July to September. When planting this grass, dig the hole twice as wide as the pot and mix rich garden soil in with your native soil, then leave the top of the root ball 1/2 inch above the ground level when filling the hole with soil.

Use a slow release granular fertilizer in spring.

The lush deep green foliage of this English Ivy Bush fits into any decor from rustic to formal. This bush will last for many years with minimal maintenance. When necessary simply wipe the plant with a dry cloth to remove dust.

For additional complimentary accents see the many stems and bushes available from Vickerman. Vickerman has been an industry leader since 1940. Enjoy this expertly designed decoration around your home.

Larksilk This Beautifully lifelike 33” mini english ivy bush with 530 leaves hangs down like it would from a natural plant. Each wired vine allows you to shape it to your preference and is ideal for decoration in any corner of your home and office.

The lovely and lush hanging plant is perfect for weddings, parties, table pieces and much more.

This beautifully lifelike 19” mini english ivy bush with 204 Leaves hangs down like it would from a natural plant. Each wired vine allows you to shape it to your preference and is ideal for decoration in any corner of your home and office.

The lovely and lush hanging plant is perfect for weddings, parties, table pieces and much more. It can be used as home décor, lifestyle décor, and kitchen, porch or bath.

18″ Vari. Ivy Hanger x 78 lvs.

Here’s a beautiful piece of dcor that you can display anywhere, anytime. This Ivy tree is more than 40″ in height, has several trunks and more than 1,000 leaves. In addition, it’s fully UV resistant.

This indoor / outdoor decorative tree makes a welcome addition to any home or office dcor, and will look great for years without water or care.

Microclover – Trifolium repens If you desire a green lawn but don’t have a herd of sheep to keep it tidy, you will love this clover. It has all the carefree vigor of regular clover, except with teeny tiny leaves.

Microclover grows enthusiastically and doesn’t need to be babied. It tolerates sun, shade, drought, cold and trampling by sheep or humans. It’s great for erosion control or as a cover crop. It even helps aerate the soil.

A killing frost may do it in, but it usually comes back after going slightly dormant in the winter. Clover is a nitrogen fixer, so it literally pulls nitrogen out of the air and into the soil. It requires little fertilizer, fungicides or pesticides.

Its dense growth even crowds out weeds. Use it as a lawn replacement or add it to your existing lawn. Plant it between pavers, as a ground cover, wherever you need some year-round green. It’s low cost, low maintenance, and adapts beautifully to most climates and soils.

Grow it in any zone 3 to 10, mow it or not. Plant in spring or fall. Two ounces is plenty for 25 square feet. One pound covers a 20 x 20 ft. yard. Write us if you need more. 2 oz. Water evenly. No pre-treatment needed for germination.

Sow seeds just below soil surface at 70F and water.

Zoo Med Bush Plant Congo IVY makes a great natural cover for your reptile house. This bush plant looks so natural that your reptile will never know the difference. This 22-inch long plant is ideal for all types of amphibians and reptiles.

This amazing plant helps you create a real-looking environment. Moreover it also offers places to hide and rest. Bring this amazing plastic plant home and create a perfect habitat for your reptiles. Makes a natural-looking bush for reptiles Provides resting and hiding places Made of premium-quality material Does not fade easily Zoo Med is one of the most reputable companies in the reptile business.

They make a wide range of reptile accessories and treats.

Each order includes 1 Piece UV Resistant for outdoor use. The English ivy houseplant has a 26. 5″ length and the width varies with your arrangement of its imitation ivy vines Your artificial greenery’s decorative vines and ivy are wired for easy arrangement.

Altogether, your artificial English ivy house plant’s fake ivy vines contain 450 leaves. Decorative containers are sold separately.

Improved Golden Creeping Sedum produces masses of tiny, star-shaped flowers. Golden sedum is very drought-tolerant and great for erosion control on banks. Golden sedum will attract bees and butterflies to your garden, and you can sit back and watch them because this golden sedum plant is very low-maintenance when it establishes its roots.

Perfect for lining your pathways or filling in empty space.

Larksilk This beautifully lifelike 39” mini english ivy bush with 701 leaves hangs down like it would from a natural plant. Each wired vine allows you to shape it to your preference and is ideal for decoration in any corner of your home and office.

The lovely and lush hanging plant is perfect for weddings, parties, table pieces and much more.