English ivy is a truly versatile plant.
It is used as a ground cover, in topiary displays, in hanging baskets or sprawling over a windowsill as a houseplant. There are many types of ivy, ranging from rampant climbers to tiny miniatures. Most of them are tolerant of extreme conditions and can survive shade, poor soil and atmospheric pollution. There are more than 400 varieties of English ivy in cultivation, but only a few of these are hardy as outdoor plants in the Chicago area. The rest can be planted as houseplants here.