Genus of 8-12 species evergreen, woody-stemmed, trailing or self-clinging climbers found in light woodland or on trees or rocks in N. Africa, the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira, and from w. Europe to the Himalayas, China, Korea and Japan. As climbers Hedera (true Ivy) can quickly clothe bare surroundings, provided you choose a vigorous Hedera helix variety. The stems bear aerial roots which cling to wallpaper, woodwork etc. The larger leaved, slower growing Canary Island Ivy does not possess these clinging aerial roots, so some support is necessary. You can grow Hedera as trailers in hanging baskets or as ground cover. Regular misting of the leaves is necessary in winter. All parts of Hedera may cause severe discomfort if ingested. Contact with the sap or airborne hairs may aggravate allergies or irritate skin.