How to Plant a White Variegated Ivy
Ivy plants are a trailing vine that typically grows upward along a vertical surface but can also spread along the ground as well. Variegated ivies, such as Hedera helix "Discolor," are a species that have multiple colors in their leaves, such as white. The white coloring runs along the center or tips of the leaves and is interspersed with the green coloring of traditional ivy leaves. Planting variegated ivy plants is exactly like planting the green ivy varieties. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Compost or peat moss
- Bow rake or garden tiller
- Garden hose
- Shovel or hand spade
- Hand pruners
Instructions
-
-
1
Look around the yard for a planting location that is near a vertical surface such as a wall, fence or the side of a home. The area should be in partial to full shade and have well-drained but moist soil.
-
2
Spread a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or peat moss over the soil and work it in well using a bow rake for small planting sites. If you are planting a large area, purchase or rent a motorized garden tiller to help mix the soil faster.
-
-
3
Water the soil to a 4- or 5-inch depth using a garden hose.
-
4
Dig a hole that is 3 inches away from the base of the vertical surface and only as deep as the variegated ivy roots. Use a shovel for large ivy plants or a hand spade for smaller ones.
-
5
Insert the ivy roots into the hole making sure that the entire green part of the vine is above the ground. Hold the vine upright with one hand while you fill in the hole with the other hand. Pat the top of the soil down firmly.
-
6
Plant additional variegated ivy in the same manner spacing them at 18-inch intervals along the vertical surface.
-
7
Cut back each of the variegated ivy plants to only 6 inches tall using a pair of hand pruners.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The ivy will naturally cling to the vertical surface using tiny tendrils as it begins to grow.
