English Ivy


Photo: Lorna Rose		English Ivy Hedera helix Climbing and Ground Cover Plants South Australia Region

	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.





Additional suggested alternatives: kangaroo vine (Cissus antarctica), native sarsparilla prostrate pink (Hardenbergia violacea prostrate), rosemary (Rosmarinus prostrate varieties), gum vine (Aphanopetalum resinosum)

Alternative Plants


Photo: Lorna Rose		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 in summer. Initially it can be slow-growing, however becomes vigorous with age. Variegated leaf forms 'Tricolor' and 'Variegatum' are also available.

Photo: © immij pty ltd		Convolvulus Convolvulus sabatius Climbing and Ground Cover Plants

	An attractive evergreen perennial with a spreading prostrate habit. Leaves are green, soft in texture with funnel form flowers in blue to violet appearing in late spring to autumn. Suitable as a ground cover, spill-over plant in rockeries and is ideal in large containers or hanging baskets. Reaching a height of about 20 cm, it will spread to 2 metres wide. Prefers a moist well-drained site and is frost tolerant.

Photo: © immij pty ltd		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'. All are fast-growing ground cover 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.

Photo: © immij pty ltd		Japanese Star Jasmine Trachelospermum asiaticum Climbing and Ground Cover Plants

	This twining, evergreen climber with dark green, glossy leaves can be grown as a ground cover plant. It is covered with masses of lightly fragrant, small white flowers from summer through to mid-autumn. It will grow in semi-shade or full-sun in a wide range of soils.

Photo: © immij pty ltd		Native Sarsaparilla Hardenbergia violacea 'Happy Wanderer' Climbing and Ground Cover Plants

	This is a vigorous, popular and generally hardy Australian native plant that grows to about 1 m high by 1 m wide. The pea shape flowers appear in late winter and early spring and are violet in colour. It can be used as a ground cover and will climb on a support. It prefers an open sunny position. Pink and white flowering cultivars are also available.