Side by side
Climbing hydrangea or common ivy? How to tell them apart
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris · Hedera helix
How to tell them apart – climbing hydrangea: deciduous climber with aerial roots, round, toothed leaves and large, flat, white flower heads in June; common ivy: evergreen, lobed leaves and green flowers in autumn.
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How do you recognise them?
- Climbing hydrangea
- Deciduous climber with aerial roots, round, toothed leaves and large, flat, white flower heads in June.
- Common ivy
- Evergreen climber with glossy, lobed leaves and clinging aerial roots.
- Compared with climbing hydrangea: evergreen, lobed leaves and green flowers in autumn.
| Climbing hydrangea | Common ivy | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Opposite, 5–10 cm, round to oval with a heart-shaped base, finely toothed and glossy; yellow autumn colour. | Alternate, leathery and glossy dark green; 3–5-lobed on climbing stems, diamond-shaped and unlobed on the flowering shoots at the top. |
| Flowering | Flat heads (15–25 cm) with small flowers in the centre and large white outer flowers, June–July; fragrant (June–July). | Rounded umbels of small yellowish-green flowers in September–November: a late nectar feast for insects (September–November). |
| Fruit | Small capsules; the dry flower heads hang on through winter. | Bluish-black berries in late winter; poisonous to people, loved by birds. |
| Bark | Reddish-brown stems with short aerial roots; old stems with peeling bark. | Stems with countless short aerial roots that it uses to cling on. |
| Shape and height | Climber, climbs to 10–15 m | Climber, climbs to 20–30 m |
| Site | Partial shade or shade, any garden soil, moist to wet | Sun to shade, any garden soil, dry to wet |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted | Yes |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Yes, take care with children and pets |
| Pruning months | July–August | March–April and August–September |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Common ivy is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
- Common ivy is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
Read on
- Plant profile: Climbing hydrangea
- Plant profile: Common ivy
- Climbing hydrangea: when and how to prune
- Common ivy: when and how to prune
- Identification key: the question that separates them
Also looks like
- Common ivy or Virginia creeper
- Hydrangea or climbing hydrangea
- Lesser periwinkle or common ivy
- Common ivy or star jasmine
- Common ivy or Japanese aralia
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.