English Ivy History

Cultural Icon

• Ivy has been recognized throughout history. The mythology associated with English Ivy begins in ancient Rome. Roman god Bacchus wore an ivy wreath. In ancient Greece, ivy crowned successful athletes and poets. Medieval Europe believed that ivy symbolized everlasting life. During the Victorian era, ivy was put into bouquets for fidelity. Today, ivy is used for medicinal purposes, including skin restoration.

US Introduction

• Introduced in 1797 to the United States and North America from Central Eurasia, including England, Ireland, the Mediterranean, and Western Europe, English ivy has had a rich history.

  Upon its introduction to North America, English ivy was commonly used as a landscape plant, because it is ornamental. English ivy is also an evergreen plant, so it stays green all year. It is also inexpensive and easily pruned into any shape. English ivy has been used in topiaries also.

Legal History

• Ivy has been deemed a noxious weed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the state of Washington. There are other states and countries that are investigating ivy's destructive properties and have quarantined the plant, preventing it from being imported, exported, cultivated, or sold commercially. Every year, according to PortlandOnline.com, English ivy causes $137 billion dollars in losses to agricultural, timber and natural resource industries.

Life History

• Juvenile and adult are the two distinct phases of English ivy's lifespan. During the juvenile stage, the vine climbs and the leaves sprout the rootlets, which allow the ivy to adhere to surfaces and trees. The main stem grows strong and woody. Adult plants have lighter leaves and change shape from an oval to a rhombus shape. Provided the ivy has enough sun, the adult plant will bloom and produce berries, which are mildly toxic.

Invasive Predator

• English ivy is easy and fast to grow, growing over 164 feet. Unfortunately, because of its positive growth characteristics, it destroys ecological functioning, including killing trees and other vegetation and destroys habitats. It is highly adaptive and is resistant to many of the chemicals that are commonly used to destroy weeds.