Baltic Ivy
Hedera helix (HED-er-ah HEE-licks)
English ivy is a broadleaf evergreen, woody, vining, perennial ground cover in the ginseng family (Araliaceae) that rapidly grows 20 to 80 feet high and 3 to 50 feet wide. It is an invasive species in North Carolina that was introduced from Europe and Scandinavia east to Russia. In North America, English ivy is widespread in urban areas and disturbed forests. The plant grows in two stages. The juvenile stage is the climbing, spreading stage, producing thick green, glossy leaves on non-flowering stems with adventitious roots. The adult stage is the shrubby non-climbing stage in which stems do not spread or climb, but do produce clusters of greenish-white flowers in early fall followed by blue-black toxic berries. It spreads by division, root cutting, seed and stem cutting. Its aggressive and vining nature causes English ivy to climb trees and shrubs and will eventually kill them. In natural or forested areas it smothers the ground, preventing native wildflower, shrub and tree seedlings from sprouting. Once established, it is nearly impossible to eradicate and vines planted around homes easily crawl into unintended areas, curl around gutters, and damage painted surfaces, loose mortar and aluminum siding. The 80 foot height potential for this plant reflects a landscape plant. It is safer, in North Carolina, to grow English ivy as a houseplant. If grown outdoors, plant it in a patio container. This plant is problematic and landscape alternatives should be considered. Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column or this video created by Charlotte Glen as part of the Plants, Pests, and Pathogens series. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems : English ivy is subject to aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, mites, loopers and scale. Watch for leaf spots, canker, bacterial leaf spot, stem rot and powdery mildew.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 80 attributes.
How it fits the guild