Muehlenbeckia complexa
Creeping wire vine, Australian ivy
Also known as Muehlenbeckia allixaris (misapplied)
- Height × spread
- 4.5m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A plant that looks like a spangled delicate curtain, especially when reaching over rocky places or making an evanescent covering. This has very small leaves that generally appear rounded though they can be heart shaped. They are carried on slim purple stems and there can be quite large gaps between the leaves, adding to the delightful effect. If grown as ground cover it can make a dense, rather untidy carpet. It can also be used to provide a foliage wrap around structures. There are small clusters of small whitish green flowers and white bead like fruits. It can be used to stabilize banks or to cover netting, but is not hardy enough to winter outside in all parts of the country. If grown as a shrubby plant it can make an informal mound.
- Flower colour
- Green, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 4.5m
- Spread
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring · Planting
Prune after flowering
Generally reduce the plant in size by cutting back all the spreading branches and shoots, so there are only 3 or 4 buds on each stalk.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Support tall stems
The plant may require support for long stems. Provide an artificial frame which it can grow through, or loosely tie the whole plant. A network of twigs can be woven together to provide a framework through which the plant can grow.
Tall stems can lean or be battered by weather. Support the plant to keep its vertical lines, aiming for a natural appearance which is easy on the eye.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.