Product Description
Hedera helix 'Gold Child'
Gold Variegated English Ivy
Zone: 6 to 10.
Sun to full shade; southern zones may need more shade.
Mature size: 6 to 8 inches height.
Medium to large, 2 to 3 inch, ivy-shaped leaves; bright greenish-gold border variegation with a center splashed with shades of gray. Leaves darken with more shade and in hot weather border becomes creamy-white.
In the right conditions, ivy can be a vigorous grower; though 'Gold Child' has a more moderate growth habit than most.
Hedera helix 'Gold Child' is a beautiful and popular variety of English ivy, prized for its striking variegated foliage. Here is a breakdown of its key characteristics:
Appearance and Characteristics:
- Eye-catching leaves: 'Gold Child' features medium-sized, three to five-lobed leaves with a distinctive appearance. The leaves are a grayish-green color adorned with broad, bright gold margins. This variegation can sometimes fade to a butter yellow in warmer weather or if the plant is grown in shade.
- Evergreen foliage: Like other English ivies, 'Gold Child' is an evergreen, meaning it retains its leaves year-round, providing constant color and interest to the garden.
- Vining growth habit: It is a vigorous climber that can quickly cover walls, fences, and other structures. It can also be used as a groundcover, spreading, and forming a dense mat.
Growing Conditions and Care:
- Sunlight: 'Gold Child' can tolerate a range of light conditions, from full sun to full shade. However, the variegation is usually most pronounced in brighter light.
- Soil: It prefers fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soil. It can tolerate a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Once established, it has some drought tolerance, but it will look its best with consistent moisture.
- Maintenance: 'Gold Child' is relatively low-maintenance. You may need to prune it occasionally to control its growth and shape.
- Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 3-10, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates.
Benefits:
- Attractive foliage: The variegated leaves add a touch of gold and interest to any garden or indoor space.
- Versatile: It can be used as a climber, groundcover, or even as a houseplant.
- Easy to grow: It is relatively easy to care for, making it a good choice for beginner gardeners.
Uses:
- Climbing plant: Ideal for covering walls, fences, trellises, and other structures.
- Groundcover: Can be used to create a dense, attractive groundcover in shady areas.
- Houseplant: Can be grown indoors in containers, adding a touch of greenery to any room.
- Topiary: Can be trained into various shapes and forms.
Important Considerations:
- Invasiveness: In some areas, English ivy can be invasive, so it is important to monitor its growth and prune it as needed.
- Toxicity: English ivy is toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses if ingested.
Overall, Hedera helix 'Gold Child' is a beautiful and versatile plant that can add a touch of elegance and color to any garden or home. Its variegated foliage, easy care, and adaptability make it a popular choice for gardeners of all levels.
Ten (10) plants in 4.5 inch containers per flat (or tray).
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
