Hedera helix 'English Ivy'

[Ex. Co. Durham, England]

Araliaceae: evergreen, self-clinging climber to 20m. Found in woodlands, hedgerows and scrub. The flowers are yellowish green, 4-parted; in globular heads, in bloom from September-November. The berries ripen to a purplish black, ripening in the spring. Leaves are glossy, dark green and 3-5 lobed with paler veins. Europe, including Britain, south and east to the Mediterranean and Iran.

USES:

Ivy is a bitter aromatic herb with a nauseating taste. It is often used in folk herbal remedies, especially in the treatment of rheumatism and as an external application to skin eruptions, swollen tissue, painful joints, burns and suppurating cuts. Recent research has shown that the leaves contain the compound 'emetine', which is an amoebicidal alkaloid, and also triterpene saponins, which are effective against liver flukes, molluscs, internal parasites and fungal infections. The leaves have antibacterial, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, cathartic, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenagogue, stimulant, sudorific, vasoconstrictor, vasodilator and vermifuge properties. The plant is used internally in the treatment of gout, rheumatic pain, whooping cough, bronchitis and as a parasiticide. Some caution is advised if it is being used internally since the plant is mildly toxic. Excessive doses destroy red blood cells and cause irritability, diarrhoea and vomiting. This plant should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. An infusion of the twigs in oil is recommended for the treatment of sunburn. The leaves are harvested in spring and early summer, they are used fresh and can also be dried.

A yellow and a brown dye are obtained from the twigs. A decoction of the leaves is used to restore black fabrics and also as a hair rinse to darken the hair. If the leaves are boiled with soda they are a soap substitute for washing clothes.

Very easily grown plant that dislikes waterlogged, very dry or very acid soils but otherwise succeeds in all soil types, and can tolerate very dense shade.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Common Ivy seeds have little or no dormancy and can usually be sown without requiring lengthy pre-treatment.

It is recommended to first place the seeds in a container and pour warm (not boiling!) water over them and leave them to soak for between 12-24 hours and then drain away the water. The seeds should have swelled up with water and should be ready to germinate. This usually takes between 3-4 weeks in temperatures of 20 Celsius.

Alternatively, seed can be cold stratified for up to around 4 weeks. To do this mix the seeds with a small amount of 50/50 compost and sharp sand -this must be moist but not enough to be able to squeeze out water with your hand. Put the mixture of seeds and compost in a loosely tied freezer bag and place in the fridge for 4 weeks. After this time the seeds are ready for sowing.

Sow in pots or seed trays of good quality compost just below the surface. The seed usually germinates in under 4 weeks at 15-20°c. Newly germinated plants may grow to between 5 and 15cm (2-6 inches) during the first season and height growth will increase more rapidly during the second and subsequent years. Plant them out into their permanent positions at the end of the second season if they have made sufficient growth, otherwise during the following year.

HARVESTED: 3/2023*

 

APPROX. 45+ SEEDS