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Hedera helix 'Gnome'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
HED-er-uh HEE-licks
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

‘Gnome’ is a cultivar of English ivy.  It is a woody, perennial, broadleaf evergreen in the aralia family (Araliaceae). It is slow-growing and forms a dense, vining ground cover. 

It grows in all light conditions, from full sun to deep shade and is not particular about soil type, pH, or drainage. 

English ivy is an invasive, weedy and aggressive plant species in North Carolina, so it is best grown as a houseplant here. Consider choosing other groundcovers for shady landscapes. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Contact with plant sap can cause skin irritation. 

 

More information on Hedera helix.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#topiary#aggressive#children's garden#playground plant#edible fruits#bird friendly#bee friendly#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#topiary#aggressive#children's garden#playground plant#edible fruits#bird friendly#bee friendly#weed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hedera
    Species:
    helix
    Family:
    Araliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruit provides food source for birds.
    Play Value:
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Food Source
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is produced when the plant is aged.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Black
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Deltoid
    Peltate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Tiny three-lobed triangular to arrow-head shaped blackish to silverish green leaves with a light border.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Slim dark maroon stems. Produces adventitious roots for climbing. Leaves only grow on one side of the stem.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Recreational Play Area
    Vertical Spaces
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heavy Shade
    Salt
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Invasive Species
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Contact with plant cell sap causes severe skin irritation with redness, itching, and blisters. Ingestion of berries causes burning sensation in the throat. Ingestion of leaves can result in delirium, stupor, convulsions, hallucinations, fever and rash, vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, and diarrhea. Foliage is more toxic than berries.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene compounds
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems