Hedera helix 'Ritterkreuz' - Ornemental Ivy

Hedera helix ‘Ritterkreuz’ – Ornemental Ivy

Particular graphics with a leaf with pointed lobes somewhat reminiscent of the Maltese cross. Terminal lobe almost rhomboid.

Medium green to dark green leaf blade, the color being invariable in summer and winter.

Very branchy ivy, with short internodes. Good climber to low heights (3 to 5 m). Leaf mattress not too thick.

Voted “Ivy of the Year” by the American Ivy Society in 2010.

From £13.90

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2L pot 4L pot

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Category Ivy

Description

Ornemental ivy – Hedera helix ‘Ritterkreuz’

In a nutshell

The ornamental ivy, Hedera helix ‘Ritterkreuz’, offers us a particular graphic design with its leaf with pointed lobes reminiscent of the Maltese cross. The terminal lobe is almost rhomboid.

The leaf blade is medium to dark green, the color is invariable in summer and winter.

It is a very branchy ivy, with short internodes. It behaves as a good climber at low heights (3 to 5 m). The leaf mattress is not too thick.

Voted “Ivy of the Year” by the American Ivy Society in 2010.

History

This cultivar was discovered by Brother Ingobert Heieck of Neuburg Monastery, Germany, in 1981. It is believed to be a mutation of ‘Perfection’ or ‘Needlepoint’.

Technical leaflet - Hedera helix 'Ritterkreuz'

Botanical information

Family: Araliaceae
Genus: Hedera
Species: helix
Cultivar: ‘Ritterkreuz’
Pierot classification: ivy with bird’s foot leaves
Foliage stage: juvenile
Origin of the species: Europe, from Spain to Norway, but little on the Atlantic coast.
Origin of the cultivar: sport of ‘Needlepoint’ or ‘Perfection’

Description of Hedera helix 'Ritterkreuz'

Shape: stocky, spreading
Number of lobes: 5 lobes in general
Leaf length: 7 cm
Leaf width: 5 cm
Leaf colour: medium green to dark green
Vein colour: light green
Stem and petiole colour: purplish green
Stem: very branched
Internodes: short
Hairs: stellar, 3 to 5 branches

Tips for planting, growing and maintaining Hedera helix 'Ritterkreuz'

Exposure: shade, partial shade, sun
Hardiness: -12°C
Soil moisture: fresh soil
Soil pH: neutral or calcareous
Soil type: all
Soil richness: ordinary or humus-rich
Use: ground cover, climbing, hanging basket, pots, planters, art topiary
Development: fast
Pruning: once a year
Pests: very rare (red spiders, scale insects)
Diseases: very rare (spots on the leaves)

Ivy in literature

“Ivy, symbol of fidelity, never leaves its support, even in destruction.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Confessions

Additional information

Weight	N/A
Stock 9cm and 1L pots	0 pot
Stock containers of 2 or 4L	21 to 50 containers
Stock big articles	0 big article
Shape	Spread out, Stocky, Very branched
Appearance of foliage	Atypical, Green
Possible uses	Climbing, Ground cover, Hanging plant, Pots or planters, Topiary
Exposure	Partial shade, Shade, Sun
Hardiness	Fairly good hardiness
Ease of cultivation	Easy
Development speed	Fast
Development vigor	Medium
Classification according to the Pierot system	Bird's foot, From 'Pittsburgh'
Award	Ivy of the year