This vigorous climber has woody stems with adventitious rootlets that adhere to walls and structures forming a dense cover. It has juvenile and adult lobed dark glossy green leaves and the small greenish flowers are followed by black berries.

Hardiness zones 5 to 11

Hedera helix is naturally found in central Europe growing in mixed or deciduous woodlands. It tolerates a wide range of well drained, fertile moist soils and is pH adaptable. It grows in an open sunny to shaded position and is frost and drought tolerant. 

English Ivy is grown for its foliage and dense spreading cover. It is used as a ground cover or trained to cover walls or to climb over fences. Once established it can be trimmed to form a hedge or used as a spill-over above retaining walls. It is also used for topiary and is grown in pots and tubs. It establishes in 1 to 2 years and may become rampant requiring control. The foliage is cut and used in floral arrangements and the plant is moderately deer resistant. ID 55

Note:
Under ideal conditions this plant is regarded as a weed in some regions.

Hedera (he-de-ra) helix (HE-lisk)

'Hedera': Latin name for ivy; 'helix': twisted or spiralled (refers to the leaf arrangement).

Araliaceae (ah-RA-lee-AY-see-ee)