Hedera hibernica 'Deltoidea' - Irish Ivy

Hedera hibernica ‘Deltoidea’ – Irish Ivy

Thick, heart-shaped leaves, sometimes almost triangular.

Composed of 3 small, well-rounded lobes, the 2 lobes at the base overlapping. Dark green leaf, becoming almost black in winter.

Slow growing, it is to be reserved for small places or in pots for its natural bonsai shape.

This variety was awarded the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2002.

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Description

Irish ivy – Hedera hibernica ‘Deltoidea’

In a nutshell

Irish ivy, Hedera hibernica ‘Deltoidea’, has thick, heart-shaped, sometimes almost triangular leaves.

They are composed of 3 small, well-rounded lobes, the 2 bases of the base overlapping. The blade is dark green, becoming almost black in winter. Slow growing, it is to be reserved for small places or in pots for its natural bonsai shape.

It’s also known as ‘darling ivy’ or ‘shield ivy’ because of the shape of its leaves.

This variety has been awarded the Garden Award of Merit (AGM) by the Royal Horticultural Society.

History

This cultivar is already old. It dates back at least to 1872, and was first described by Hibbert.

Technical leaflet - Hedera hibernica 'Deltoidea'

Botanical information

Family: Araliaceae
Genus : Hedera
Species: hibernica
Cultivar : ‘Deltoidea’
Synonyms: ‘Cordata’, ‘Sweetheart’, ‘Bowle’s Shield’, ‘Hastata’.
Pierot classification: heart-shaped ivy
Foliage stage: juvenile
Origin: Europe, on the Atlantic coast from Portugal to Scotland
Cultivar origin: United Kingdom, late 19th century

Description of Hedera hibernica ‘Deltoidea’

Growth habit: stocky
Number of lobes: 0 to 3 lobes in general, well rounded
Leaf length: 6 to 10 cm
Leaf width: 8 to 10 cm
Leaf color: dark green
Color variation: purple-tinted in winter outdoors
Apex: obtuse, one of the most rounded in the genus
Base: deeply cordate, sometimes with overlapping basal lobes
Color of veins: green, low contrast
Stem and petiole color: green
Hair: stellate, small

Advice on planting, cultivation and care of Hedera hibernica ‘Deltoidea’.

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, bonsai
Development: moderate to slow
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

Black spot disease

Ivy is virtually disease-free, especially when grown outdoors on vertical supports. Indoors, or in ground cover, due to humidity, diseases can sometimes occur, such as black spot.

Causes:

This disease is caused by a fungus (Phyllosticta hedericola). It mainly affects Hedera colchica, but can also be found on Hedera helix.

Symptoms:

Symptoms take the form of circular, reddish patches, which dry out to a grayish hue, resembling a crust and ranging from 5 to 15 mm in diameter. This is followed by small black spots in the center of the blotches. A yellow halo may surround the spot.

Processing :

As a preventive measure, ensure good air ventilation around ivy and avoid watering the foliage. Destroy affected leaves by burning. If necessary, apply a copper-based treatment.

Ivy in literature

“The ivy leaves rustled beneath Elizabeth’s fingers as she scanned the horizon.”

Harper Lee, “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Additional information

Weight	N/A
Stock 9cm and 1L pots	21 to 50 pots
Stock containers of 2 or 4L	11 to 20 containers
Stock big articles	0 big article
Shape	Compact, Spread out, Stocky
Appearance of foliage	Atypical, Green, Red in winter
Possible uses	Bonsai, Climbing, Ground cover, Pots or planters
Exposure	Partial shade, Shade, Sun
Hardiness	Good hardiness
Ease of cultivation	Easy
Development speed	Slow
Development vigor	Modest
Classification according to the Pierot system	Heart shaped
Award	RHS Award of Garden Merit