English Ivy Alternatives

Ground Covers

• English ivy isn’t the only plant that works well as a ground cover. Dwarf tickseed (Coreopsis auriculata), for example, is a clump-forming perennial growing in sunny areas throughout USDA zones 4 through 9. This easy-to-care-for plant grows 6 to 8 inches tall and produces cheery yellow blooms in the spring. Dwarf tickseed works well in rock gardens or as an edging plant or ground cover. Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) is another alternative to English ivy and grows in USDA zones 3 through 8. This perennial plant produces yellow blooms that attract butterflies and can tolerate wet soils in sunny to partially shaded areas.

Evergreens

• English ivy is an evergreen plant, which means it stays green throughout the year. Other evergreen plants can be used as a substitute for English ivy. Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) is an evergreen that grows in full sun to partial shade in USDA zones 4 through 9. In the spring, delicate white flowers appear on this 4 to 6 inch tall plant and are followed by small edible berries. Beach strawberry is tolerant to drought and resistant to rabbits. Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) is another evergreen alternative to English ivy and grows in shaded areas in USDA zones 3 through 8. This mat-forming plant produces white fragrant flowers in the spring and bright red ornamental berries in late summer.

Vines

• When looking for an English ivy alternative that is also a vine, consider Virginia creeper, wild hydrangea or Carolina jessamine. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) grows in full sun to partial shade in USDA zones 3 through 9. The green leaves of this woody perennial turn brilliant shades of purple and crimson in the fall. Virginia creeper tolerates various poor growing conditions such as drought, clay soil and dense shade. It is also resistant to deer and provides erosion control. Wild hydrangea (Decumaria barbara) is a woody vine growing in partially shaded locations found in USDA zones 7 through 9. It produces clusters of white, butterfly-attracting flowers in the summer. Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is another English ivy alternative that produces attractive and fragrant yellow flowers. This sun-loving vine grows in USDA zones 7 through 9 and is tolerant of seacoast exposure.

Plants for Shaded Areas

• Several English ivy alternatives grow best in shaded areas. American barrenwort (Vancouveria hexandra) is one such example that grows in fully to partially shaded areas in USDA zones 5 through 8. This 1 to 3 foot semi-evergreen has deep green leaves that emerge lighter in color giving the plant a two-toned appearance. Umbrella-like white flowers appear in the spring and summer months. Canadian wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is another shade-loving alternative to English ivy growing in USDA zones 3 through 9. This perennial ground cover has kidney-shaped leaves that hide low-growing, brown-shaped flowers. Canadian wild ginger reaches heights of about 4 to 6 inches, has a clumping form that and is resistant to deer.