It is a common misunderstanding that true ivy plants produce purple flowers. While many plants with “ivy” in their name do feature vibrant purple blooms, the species commonly recognized as true ivies, such as English ivy (Hedera helix), do not. The distinction between these plant groups is important for accurate identification and understanding their characteristics.
Understanding True Ivy Flowers
True ivies, such as English ivy (Hedera helix), belong to the genus Hedera. These evergreen woody vines climb walls and trees or spread as groundcover. Their flowers are not purple; they are small and greenish-yellow.
These flowers appear in dense, rounded clusters called umbels from late summer through late autumn. They are rich in nectar, serving as a food source for pollinators. After pollination, small berries develop, which may turn dark red or purple when ripe. These are the fruit, not the flowers.
Ground Ivy and Its Purple Blooms
When people ask about ivy with purple flowers, they are likely thinking of Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea). Despite its common name, Ground Ivy is not a true ivy; it belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae), distinct from the Hedera genus. It is also known as Creeping Charlie or Gill-over-the-ground.
Ground Ivy is a low-growing, creeping perennial that forms dense mats and is often considered a weed. Its square stems readily root where they touch the soil, allowing quick spread. The leaves are kidney-shaped or rounded with scalloped edges, often green with a purplish tint, and grow oppositely. When crushed, these leaves release a distinctive mint-like aroma.
The flowers of Ground Ivy are small, tubular, and funnel-shaped, appearing in shades of purple, bluish-purple, violet, or reddish-purple. These blooms emerge in clusters of two or three from the leaf axils in spring. Their vibrant color makes them more noticeable than true ivy flowers, contributing to the common confusion.
Other Plants Mistaken for Ivy with Purple Flowers
Other plants are also mistaken for ivy due to their growth habit or leaf shape, while also featuring purple flowers. One such plant is Kenilworth Ivy (Cymbalaria muralis), also known as ivy-leaved toadflax or coliseum ivy. This low-growing perennial forms a dense, trailing mat, often found in rock and wall crevices.
Kenilworth Ivy has tiny, rounded to kidney-shaped leaves with shallow lobes, resembling miniature ivy leaves. Its small, snapdragon-like flowers are blue-violet with a yellow throat. These blooms appear over a long season, from spring to fall.
Identifying Ivy Look-Alikes
Distinguishing between true ivies and their purple-flowered look-alikes involves observing characteristics of their leaves, flowers, and growth habits. True ivies (Hedera species) are woody vines with 3-5 lobed, evergreen leaves. Their stems are round, and their flowers are greenish-yellow, blooming in late summer or autumn.
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is a soft-stemmed perennial with square stems and kidney-shaped or rounded leaves with scalloped edges. Its flowers are small, tubular, purple to bluish-purple, emerging in spring. Kenilworth Ivy (Cymbalaria muralis) has small, rounded, shallowly lobed leaves and snapdragon-like blue-violet flowers. Observing these differences in stem shape, leaf characteristics, and flower appearance helps identify these plants.