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English Ivy

English Ivy
Photo: Lorna Rose
Invasive Plant
English Ivy
Hedera helix
 

A widely planted ornamental, this species was unsuspectingly used to cover brick walls, sheds or was used as a ground cover beneath trees. It is extremely hardy and can survive in full-sun to shade. Easily distinguished by its dark green lobed leaves. Without pruning control, it smothers everything, debilitates trees and sets large quantities of seed.

 

HOW IT SPREADS

  • Tenacious and invasive aerial roots cling to trees smothering the bark. Trailing stems will easily take root and spread along the ground. When the plant is allowed to mature to the shrubby adult form, the small umbels of white flowers are followed by a prolific amount of blue-black berries which are quickly spread by birds. Aerial roots may destroy mortar joints on walls.
  • Clippings easily take root when dumped on unused ground or in bushland areas.
 

Other suggested alternatives to look for are Creeping Boobiala (Myoporum parvifolium), Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia rubicunda) and Bower of Beauty (Pandorea jasminoides).

 
 
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Other suggested alternatives to look for are Creeping Boobiala (Myoporum parvifolium), Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia rubicunda) and Bower of Beauty (Pandorea jasminoides).

 

Alternative Plants

Chinese Star Jasmine
Photo: Lorna Rose
Alternative Plant Chinese Star Jasmine
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Climbing and Ground Cover Plants
 

This evergreen twining climber from China has dark, glossy foliage and masses of small, highly fragrant starry-white flowers which appear in summer. Initially it can be slow-growing, however it becomes vigorous with age. Variegated leaf forms 'Tricolor' and 'Variegatum' are also available. Often also used as an effective ground cover for large or small landscapes.

Grevillea Groundcovers
Photo: Delwyn Thomas
Alternative Plant Grevillea Groundcovers
Grevillea species and cultivars
Climbing and Ground Cover Plants
 

Among the highly recommended varieties are 'Royal Mantle', 'Bronze Rambler', 'Bedspread' and 'Gin Gin Gem'.

Plants ideal for mass planting and covering of large areas. The red toothbrush flowers occur in spring and autumn. These species grow to about 0.3 m high by 2 m across and are frost tolerant. Grown as 'living mulch', they will trail over banks or walls and attract nectar-feeding birds. Mass planting is highly recommended.

Native Wisteria
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Native Wisteria
Hardenbergia comptoniana
Climbing and Ground Cover Plants
 

A hardy, vigorous, evergreen, native climber that produces profuse small, pea shape flowers in July, August and September. Flowers tend to be purple, however lilac-pink and white varieties are also available. Great for training over fences and suitable in semi-shaded positions.

 
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