Hedera helix 'Atropurpurea' (Purple-leaved ivy)

Botanical name

Hedera helix 'Atropurpurea'

Other names

Hedera helix 'Purpurea', Common ivy 'Atropurpurea' , English ivy 'Atropurpurea' , Ivy 'Atropurpurea' , Purple-leaved ivy

Genus

Hedera Hedera

Variety or Cultivar

'Atropurpurea' _ 'Atropurpurea' is a large, self-clinging vine that has medium sized, dark-green leaves that turn very dark-purple, almost black, in cold temperatures.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Climbing

Toxicity

Ingestion may cause severe discomfort; contact may irritate the skin.

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Colour

Flower

Insignificant or absent in All seasons

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-purple in Autumn; Dark-purple in Winter

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Scale insects , Vine weevil

Specific diseases

Leaf spot

General care

Propagation methods

Root cuttings, Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Hedera helix 'Atropurpurea' (Purple-leaved ivy) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 3m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises, Roof terrace, Foliage only

Cultivation

Best planted in fertile, humus-rich, alkaline soil but will tolerate acidic soils.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Hedera helix 'Atropurpurea' (Purple-leaved ivy)

Common pest name

pink wax scale; red was scale; ruby wax scale

Scientific pest name

Ceroplastes rubens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Based on its biology and low potential impact continued action on this pest in the UK would not be considered appropriate. It is likely to be of more concern to southern Member States of the EU; as it is an economic pest of citrus.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Hedera helix 'Atropurpurea' (Purple-leaved ivy)

Common pest name

Black scale; Coffee scale; black; Nigra scale

Scientific pest name

Parasaissetia nigra

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Present at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew for in excess of 100 years. Candidate for deregulation.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/