Hedera helix 'Erecta'

Description and General Information

• Botanical Name: Hedera helix ‘Erecta’

• Common Name: Upright English Ivy

• Plant Type: Evergreen shrub-like ivy

• Origin: Cultivar of the common English ivy, native to Europe and western Asia, selected for its unusual upright habit.

• Growth Habit: Distinct, vertical, column-like growth, reaching around 1–1.5 metres tall and 30–45 cm wide. Unlike most ivies, it does not sprawl but grows stiffly upright, forming a compact architectural shape.

• Foliage: Small, deep green, lobed leaves are densely packed along the stems, giving a textured appearance.

• Flowers: Clusters of small, yellow-green blooms may appear in autumn, particularly on mature plants, followed by black berries in winter.

• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage provides year-round structure; flowers and berries offer seasonal wildlife value.

• Garden Uses: Ideal for formal garden borders, containers, low hedging, rock gardens, and topiary-style features. Works well as an architectural accent in modern planting schemes.

• Wildlife Benefits: Flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies; berries provide food for birds.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland.

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun to full shade, making it versatile for various locations. Best foliage density occurs with some sun.

• Soil Preferences: Grows in most soil types—loam, clay, chalk, or sand—provided they are well-drained.

• pH Range: Neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.5–8.0).

• Moisture Needs: Prefers moist but well-drained soil; avoid prolonged waterlogging.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or autumn to allow establishment before extreme heat or frost.

• Spacing: Space plants 30–45 cm apart for a continuous line, or plant individually for focal points.

• Shelter Needs: Very tolerant of wind and urban conditions, including pollution.

• Companion Planting: Complements low-growing shrubs, ornamental grasses, heucheras, and other architectural plants.

• Container Growing: Perfect for pots, urns, and formal planters; ensure good drainage and use a quality multi-purpose compost.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water regularly during the first season to establish strong roots.

  • Once established, water only during prolonged dry spells.

• Feeding: Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring to promote healthy growth and maintain leaf colour.

• Pruning:

  • Requires minimal pruning—remove damaged or stray shoots in spring.

  • Can be clipped to maintain a formal shape if desired.

• Mulching: Add a 5 cm mulch layer of compost or bark around the base in spring to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally trouble-free; may occasionally suffer from scale insects or aphid infestations, but these are rarely serious.

• Winter Care: Fully hardy; no special protection needed, though potted plants may benefit from shelter in severe weather to prevent root freeze.

• Weed Control: Keep the base weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and water.

• Longevity: Long-lived, low-maintenance plant that retains its form and impact for many years with minimal care.

• Size
  C 2 15- 20

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.