The first batch of Wyevale Nurseries’ new non-climbing ivy aimed at landscapers that was launched at Four Oaks Trade Show last autumn has sold out with more coming this spring.

Ten thousand pots of the versatile, easy to look after Hedera Algerian Bellecour®, which has no arborescent stage, and is exclusive to the commercial nursery, have sold so far this year.

Ian Wright, Commercial Sales Director at Wyevale Nurseries, explains: “Our first batch of Hedera Bellecour® has now been sold and delivered to customers and numbers are being bulked up as soon as cutting material allows. Potting has continued and the next batch will be available for delivery at the end of May. We’re very excited about this new ivy, which is exclusive to us this year. It’s a very special hedera that doesn’t climb, so is great as low maintenance groundcover.

“Hedera Algerian Bellecour® is particularly useful to amenity and commercial landscape contractors and architects, as it remains in a juvenile form so requires little to no care.

“It can green large areas in a carpet of evergreen foliage and is low maintenance. So, we’re certain it will be a huge hit with those looking for a commercial landscape solution.”

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.”

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.