Hedera hibernica 'Betty Allen' - Irish Ivy

Hedera hibernica ‘Betty Allen’ – Irish Ivy

Attractive ivy with glossy, dark-green foliage. The leaf has 3 pointed, forward-pointing lobes, with the median lobe often larger than the lateral lobes.

Stems less thick than type species. Also less branchy.

Interesting ivy to decorate a wall or in a pot.

From £7.90

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Description

Irish ivy – Hedera hibernica ‘Betty Allen’

In a nutshell

Irish ivy, Hedera hibernica ‘Betty Allen’, is a very attractive ivy with glossy dark green foliage.

The leaf is composed of 3 pointed lobes, pointing forward. The middle lobe is often larger than the lateral lobes. The stems are less thick than the type species. The plant is less branchy too.

An interesting ivy on a wall or in a pot.

History

This cultivar was discovered in the 1970s in the town of Algesiras, Andalusia, Spain.

Technical leaflet - Hedera hibernica 'Betty Allen'

Botanical information

Family: Araliaceae
Genus : Hedera
Species: hibernica
Cultivar: ‘Betty Allen’
Pierot classification: ivy with fan-shaped leaves
Foliage stage: juvenile
Origin: Europe, on the Atlantic coast from Portugal to Scotland
Origin of cultivar: found in Algesiras, Andalusia, Spain in the 1970s

Description of Hedera hibernica ‘Betty Allen’

Growth habit: compact, spreading
Number of lobes: 3 lobes in general, pointed and pointing forward
Leaf length: 5 cm
Sheet width: 4 cm
Leaf color: dark green
Color of veins: green
Stem and petiole color: reddish green
Hair: stellate, small

Planting, cultivation and care instructions for Hedera hibernica ‘Betty Allen’.

Exposure: shade, part shade, sun
Hardiness: -15°C
Soil moisture: cool soil
Soil PH: neutral, calcareous or acidic
Soil type: all
Soil richness: ordinary or humus-bearing
Use: ground cover, climber, pot, window box
Development: rapid
Pruning: once a year
Pests: very rare (red spider mites, scale insects)
Diseases: very rare (leaf spots)

A page from my little ivy encyclopedia

All about the health of my ivy

What is ivy broomrape?

Ivy broomrape is a parasitic plant that draws its resources from ivy roots. It has a stiff, scaly stem bearing spikes of tubular flowers, usually white, yellow or brownish, arranged in dense clusters along the stem.

It is mainly found in southern Europe. It prefers well-drained soils and is often seen in natural environments or in gardens where ivy is cultivated. It seems to prefer Hedera hibernica, but can also be found on Hedera helix.

Although it can weaken the ivy by draining its resources, the latter doesn’t seem to suffer unduly. Ivy’s root system is large enough to feed the plant, even if it is parasitized.

One of the most effective methods of controlling broomrape is to manually remove parasitic plants as soon as they are visible. This can help reduce spread, although it doesn’t remove the roots already attached to the ivy. Keeping ivy healthy through proper watering, fertilization and drainage can help minimize damage caused by broomrape.

Ivy in literature

“Ivy climbing up the tower, half hiding the dusty stained glass windows.”

Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Marble Faun”

Additional information

Weight	N/A
Stock 9cm and 1L pots	1 to 2 pots
Stock containers of 2 or 4L	21 to 50 containers
Stock big articles	0 big article
Shape	Compact, Extended, Quite branched, Spread out
Appearance of foliage	Atypical, Green, Red in winter
Possible uses	Climbing, Ground cover, Pots or planters
Exposure	Partial shade, Shade, Sun
Hardiness	Good hardiness
Ease of cultivation	Easy
Development speed	Fast
Development vigor	Vigorous
Classification according to the Pierot system	Fan
Award	No known award