Wyevale Nurseries is launching an innovative new ivy aimed at commercial landscapers and garden retailers at the 50th anniversary Four Oaks Trade Show.

Hedera Algerian Bellecour®, which is non-climbing, versatile, easy to look after, as it has no arborescent stage, will be unveiled at the show on September 6 and 7.

Ian Wright, Commercial Sales Director at Wyevale Nurseries, says: “Hedera Algerian Bellecour® is a wonderful new addition to our range, which is particularly useful to amenity and commercial landscape contractors and architects, as well as consumers, as it doesn’t climb and remains in a juvenile form so requires little to no care.

“It has the ability to green large areas in a carpet of evergreen foliage, is low maintenance and doesn’t climb. So, we’re certain it will be a huge hit with those looking for a commercial landscape solution, as well as garden centres wishing to offer their customers something different that does a great job.”

Discovered in the Bellecour district in Lyon, France, Hedera Algerian Bellecour® is a ground cover ivy that’s vigorous and resistant.

Its large three-lobed leaves change from tender green in spring to dark green as winter approaches and it’s perfectly suited to the base of trees and in large beds.

“More than 10 million plants have already been sold on the continent, primarily as an alternative to grass, as Bellecour® requires a lot less maintenance, just trimmed to the path/road edge once or twice a year, depending on the situation.

“It’s ideal for local authorities to use on roadsides, especially busy, high-speed roads where grass mowing regularly is difficult due to safety. It’s also excellent on steep slopes as a soil stabiliser and for areas where it is too dry to retain healthy looking grass.

“But that’s not all, this ivy just keeps on giving. It can be use in areas in the shade of buildings and trees that are difficult/impossible to green with grass. It’s ideal for airports where nesting birds are unwelcome, as it has no nectar, pollen and berries to attract them. However, it does provide an excellent habitat for invertebrates.

“It also provides a living mulch beneath shrubs and trees that retains soil moisture and minimises or, when established, prevents weeds. Once established it is very drought tolerant too, so is fine in dry soils.

“Therefore, all the problems with standard hedera have been removed: it has no arborescent, woody, flowering stage that needs more pruning to maintain ground cover effect and, as it doesn’t climb, it doesn’t damage paint work and masonry. But Bellecour® has all the positives of hedera too. It’s ideal for steep inclines, hard to maintain areas and urban settings. It’s evergreen, hardy to -20°C, very glossy, non-flowering, non-climbing, weed suppressant, low maintenance, requires infrequent pruning and is drought resistant. It reduces soil erosion, noise pollution, surface water, air pollution and heat island effect, which means it doesn’t increase heat in urban areas.”

The Four Oaks Trade Show is an international exhibition covering the whole of commercial ornamental horticulture. The event takes place on a 23-acre nursery site in Cheshire, close to the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, covering an area of 13,000m² under glass with additional outdoor areas.

This year’s Four Oaks Trade Show will be held in honour of the late Pat Coutts, who organised it for many years. 2022 will also be the 50th anniversary year after the prolonged restrictions of Covid-19 led to the postponement of the 2020 and 2021 events.

Displays of plant material form the heart of the show, with plant producers using the platform to launch the next season’s lines. Mature stock and specimen plants from across Europe create showcase displays. Machinery, growing media, sundries, retail products, Christmas ware, services can also be found at Four Oaks.

Wyevale Nurseries’ product selection is envied across the industry and the talented team regularly introduces new, award-winning plant varieties.

Its main business is to supply garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners with a comprehensive array of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.