Thorndale English ivy

Often referred to as the “classic American groundcover,” this hardy, clinging evergreen adapts so well to nearly any environment that in a few US states, it is considered invasive; the sale of this ivy is banned in Oregon. It remains, nonetheless, a popular way to cover walls, fences, and tree trunks. The “Thorndale” variety in Mellon’s garden is differentiated from others by its large, dark-green leaves with creamy veins. It can produce late-summer flowers that are rich in nectar, attracting bees and other pollinators, and its winter berries are a food source for birds.