Variegated Algerian Ivy
(AKA ’Glorie’, ’Variegata’, Hedera canariensis, Canary Island Ivy, North African Ivy, Madeira Ivy)

Hedera algeriensis/canariensis ’Gloire de Marengo’ has bright, glossy, variegated green leaves and smooth, deep red leaf stalks. The three-lobed leaves are 4 to 5" long and heart-shaped, glossy and have cream to white margins and grey-streaked centers with speckles in the cream-colored margins.

This evergreen, self-clinging, vigorous climber is a popular ground cover for steep slopes and is often grown on walls to visually soften or add an aged look to the architecture. It climbs over rocks, tree trunks, walls and trellises, and carpets the ground. Its small aerial roots cling to everything as it naturalizes and spreads throughout the landscape.

Often used to brighten shady areas, it will be less variegated in full shade as the light brings out the variegation. Prune in spring to control growth and shape. Mulch in summer for weed control. If grown in full sun in warmer climates, make sure that ample water is received. In colder areas and in severe winters, it may get damaged if grown on unsheltered walls exposed to cold winds.

Salt tolerant, moderate to rapid growth rate (similar in growing habit to ’Algerian.’). Infrequent foot traffic is tolerated, can climb to 40 feet. Prefers well-drained, alkaline soil. Mature height 12", spacing 10-14".

If you are planning to plant this in full sun, you MUST give it ample water the first year until it becomes established. Once established it will thrive in full sun - getting it established is the trick. It should not be planted in full sun next to something like a drive way which will intensify the heat. It needs to be planted in the Fall or early Spring for hope of getting it established before Summer heat. If you are not willing and able to nurture it the first year we suggest you get Persian Ivy instead, it can be planted in full sun without as much care.

Hedera - general info:
Hedera is a genus of 15 species of climbing or ground-creeping evergreen woody plants in the family Araliaceae, native to the Atlantic Islands, western, central and southern Europe, northwestern Africa and across central-southern Asia east to Japan. On suitable surfaces (trees and rock faces), they are able to climb to at least 25-30 metres above the basal ground level.

They have two leaf types, with palmately lobed juvenile leaves on creeping and climbing stems, and unlobed cordate adult leaves on fertile flowering stems exposed to full sun, usually high in the crowns of trees or the top of rock faces. The juvenile and adult shoots also differ, the former being slender, flexible and scrambling or climbing with small roots to affix the shoot to the substrate (rock or tree bark), the latter thicker, self-supporting, and without roots. The flowers are produced in late autumn, individually small, in 3-5 cm diameter greenish-yellow umbels; the fruit are small black berries ripening in late winter.

Hedera Ivies are very popular in cultivation for their evergreen foliage; many cultivars with variegated foliage and/or unusual leaf shape have been selected. They are particularly valuable for covering unsightly walls. Much has been argued as to whether ivy climbing trees will harm the tree or not; the consensus in Europe is that they do not harm trees significantly, though they may compete for ground nutrients and water to a small extent, and trees with a heavy growth of ivy can be more liable to windthrow. Problems are greater in North America, where trees may be overwhelmed by the ivy to the extent they are killed; this could be because ivy in North America, being introduced, is without the natural pests and diseases that control its vigour in its native areas. A more serious problem is that ivy creates a vigorous, dense, shade-tolerant evergreen groundcover (precisely the characteristics for which it is often cultivated) that can spread over large areas and outcompete native vegetation.