Side by side
Common ivy or star jasmine? How to tell them apart
Hedera helix · Trachelospermum jasminoides
How to tell them apart – common ivy: lobed leaves, aerial roots and green flowers in autumn; star jasmine: evergreen twining climber with glossy, leathery leaves and white, propeller-shaped, sweetly scented flowers.
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How do you recognise them?
- Common ivy
- Evergreen climber with glossy, lobed leaves and clinging aerial roots.
- Compared with star jasmine: lobed leaves, aerial roots and green flowers in autumn.
- Star jasmine
- Evergreen twining climber with glossy, leathery leaves and white, propeller-shaped, sweetly scented flowers.
| Common ivy | Star jasmine | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, leathery and glossy dark green; 3–5-lobed on climbing stems, diamond-shaped and unlobed on the flowering shoots at the top. | Opposite, elliptic, 4–8 cm, untoothed and glossy dark green; often turning reddish-brown in winter. |
| Flowering | Rounded umbels of small yellowish-green flowers in September–November: a late nectar feast for insects (September–November). | White, star-shaped flowers (2–3 cm) with 5 twisted lobes, in clusters, June–August; strongly scented (June–August). |
| Fruit | Bluish-black berries in late winter; poisonous to people, loved by birds. | Long, narrow pods in pairs; rare here. |
| Bark | Stems with countless short aerial roots that it uses to cling on. | Twining brown stems that ooze white milky sap when damaged. |
| Shape and height | Climber, climbs to 20–30 m | Climber, twines to 3–6 m |
| Site | Sun to shade, any garden soil, dry to wet | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds | – |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | March–April and August–September | 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: Common ivy
- Plant profile: Star jasmine
- Common ivy: when and how to prune
- Star jasmine: when and how to prune
- Identification key
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This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.