Woody > Hedera > Hedera helix > Hedera helix 'Thorndale'
Hedera helix
'Thorndale'
Thorndale English Ivy
Mike's
Opinion
"
Great specimen if used as a vine or understory plant. Can become problematic if not pruned and cared for correctly. Winter burn is common in South Western Ontario. That said this plant has fallen out of favour with me since it can become invasive, is a vole magnet and can suffer from severe wilt and winter necrosis. It is best kept in planting beds where if it escapes it may be decapitated by the lawn mower.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Araliaceae |
| Genus |
| Hedera |
| Species |
| helix |
| Cultivar |
| 'Thorndale' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Vine |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 3-9 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 4a–8b |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -34 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -30 |
| Height |
| 15-20 m |
| Spread |
| 15-25 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| An evergreen vine that grows as a groundcover but will climb. Attractive dark green leaves. Grows rapidly and may be considered invasive, caution in planting is urged. All parts of the plan contains toxins and ingestion of large quantities can cause sever poisoning in both humans and animals. The sap may also be an irritant to some. The berries which are toxic are seldom consumed since they are quite bitter. |
| Landscape |
| Good ground cover with many uses. Ideal in heavy shade and can look especially nice when given proper cultural conditions. Grown to best effect when allowed to climb trees or buildings; Plant will become quite woody, and leaf morphology different in adult form. At points further south this plant may become invasive. |
| Cultivation |
| Transplants readily; Rich, fairly moist well drained soils. Full sun or heavy shade. Protect from winter sun and wind to prevent leaf necrosis. May require considerable pruning; tolerates acid and alkaline soil; salt tolerant. |
| Shape |
| Horizontal, rooting at nodes, can climb as a vine. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| Compared to Baltic Ivy, ‘Thorndale’ boasts attractive dark green leaves that are a bit smaller, have a much more prominent central lobe, and display creamy white leaf veins. It may climb but is usually grown as a ground cover plant. |
| Pests |
| Bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas) and canker, leaf spots, powdery mildews, blight, aphids, caterpillars, mealy bugs, scales, and two-spotted mite. Subject to necrosis, although blight in Ontario seems to be the major problem. |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| On adult forms, bark is light brown, rigged and furrowed. On young growth stems are often green to black. |
| Leaf Description |
| Dark green and often lustrous above, often with whitish veins on juvenile leaves; mature leaves may appear lighter in colour and more pointed in form. |
| Flower Description |
| Only occuring on adult forms; greenish white in globose umbels; present in late summer to autumn. |
| Fruit Description |
| Berry like, black drupe, 0.6 mm across, containing 2-5 seeds; seeds apparently poisonous. |
| Colour Description |
| Dark green leaves that display creamy white veins. On adult forms the leaves are lighter in colour. Bark is dark brown or sometimes reddish-brown. |
| Texture Description |
| Smooth texture on juvenile leaves, and more rigged texture on mature leaves. |
| Notable Specimens |
| The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario. |
| Propagation |
| Cuttings can be rooted any time of the year using 1000 to 3000 ppm IBA-quick dip. |
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