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Bush Ivy

Fatshedera lizei (fat-sheh-DER-ah LIZ-ey-eye)

Family: Araliaceae Non-native Vine (vertical)

This is an intergeneric hybrid created by crossing Fatsia japonica 'Moserii' (fatsia) with Hedera helix (English ivy) in the aralia family (Araliaceae). With one parent being a shrub and the other a vine, the plant can be trained in multiple ways. It can be tied to supports as a vine or allowed to grow along the ground as a groundcover. Pruning the plant to encourage bushiness will give it a more shrub-like form. Sterile greenish-white flowers are produced in the fall. Very tolerant of adverse conditions including air pollution and coastal sea spray. Plant in shade or north exposure for winter protection. Works well planted under taller shrubs, in containers, or in boarders. It even makes a good houseplant. Propagates by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. Variegated cultivars are available. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Can be susceptible to scales and mealybugs. Generally disease resistant. Browsed by deer. Quick ID Evergreen, palmately lobed interior/exterior shrub Leaves have 5 lobes with entire margins & sinuses This species is an artificial hybrid.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 46 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 6 - Vine (vertical) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Often confused with Fatsia japonica Hedera helix

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ground Cover; Houseplant; Perennial; Shrub; Vine
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Variegated; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate; Palmasect
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate, simple, 5-lobed, entire, cordate, coriaceous, dark green, 4-10 inches across; lobes ovate, cut 1/3 to 1/2 way to base.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
Pale, greenish-white flowers borne on 8-10 in. terminal globose panicle in fall.
Bloom time
Fall
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, Asia
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Landscape theme
Shade Garden
Design feature
Border; Screen/Privacy; Specimen
Garden tags
#houseplant #salt tolerant #evergreen #air pollution tolerant #fantz #border planting #showy leaves #groundcover #container plant #shade garden #vine #cpp
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Banded Greenhouse Thrips
Resistant to
Salt

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.