As Other Plants Struggle In The Shade, Fatshedera Lifts Its Bold Evergreen Leaves And Quietly Brightens The Corner All Year Round.

Bold Evergreen Leaves In Difficult Spots

One of Fatshedera’s greatest charms is its ability to bring bold, handsome foliage into places where many shrubs struggle. Those big, ivy‑like leaves give instant substance to shady or awkward corners, making them feel planted and intentional rather than forgotten. Variegated forms seem to catch and reflect what light there is, brightening doorways, side returns and north‑facing walls. Because the leaves stay on all year, the effect doesn’t fade when other plants die back, which is particularly cheering in the shorter days.

  • Bold Evergreen Leaves In Difficult Spots
  • Flexible Habit – Shrub Or Climber
  • Exotic Look Without Fussy Care

Fatshedera at a Glance:

Common name: Tree Ivy

Latin name: Fatshedera

Size in UK gardens: Typically 1.5–2m tall and 1–1.5m wide as a free‑standing shrub; with support it can be trained to around 3m or a little more.

Best position: A sheltered spot in light or dappled shade, ideally by a wall, fence or trellis where its stems can be tied in.

Soil: Moist but well‑drained, reasonably fertile soil with added organic matter; dislikes waterlogged ground.

Main interest: Bold, glossy evergreen foliage – often attractively variegated – giving a lush, almost tropical feel all year, with small late‑season flowers as a bonus.

Fragrance: Leaves are usually not noticeably scented; flowers may have a light, unobtrusive scent close up.

Hardiness: Generally hardy in milder parts of the UK and sheltered gardens elsewhere; young and variegated plants appreciate protection from cold, drying winds.

Care level: Moderate; straightforward once established, needing some support, occasional tying‑in and light pruning to keep a tidy framework.
Some of our team!

Home-grown, backed by local specialists.

The Simpson’s team raises the majority of our trees here at the nursery. For varieties outside our own production, we work with independent local growers we trust - all chosen for UK climate suitability.

Fatshedera Care at a Glance:

Planting time: As a container‑grown plant, Fatshedera can be planted in most months when the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged, with spring and autumn generally the easiest times for it to establish.

Watering: Water regularly through the first year or two, especially in dry spells, so roots can spread into the surrounding soil. Once settled in the ground, it usually only needs extra watering during prolonged dry weather.

Feeding: A mulch of garden compost or well‑rotted manure in spring is usually enough. On very poor soils, a light application of balanced fertiliser at the same time can help maintain fresh, leafy growth.

Pruning: Prune after the main flush of growth, shortening or removing any leggy or misplaced stems and tying in those you want to keep as framework. It generally responds well to light annual shaping rather than heavy, infrequent cuts.

Winter: In sheltered gardens, Fatshedera normally stays evergreen through winter, though some leaves may mark in hard frosts. A mulch around the base and protection from the harshest winds will help it come through cold spells cleanly.

Varieties We Usually Stock

Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.

Acer campestre

Acer campestre 'Elsrijk'

Acer campestre 'Queen Elizabeth'

Acer campestre 'Carnival'

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Fatshedera is an excellent choice for shadier positions where many flowering shrubs struggle. It is particularly happy in bright shade or dappled light, such as on a north‑ or east‑facing wall, or in the partial shade of taller planting. Variegated forms appreciate some light to keep their colour, but they don’t insist on strong sun. Very deep, permanent shade will keep it alive but can make growth sparse, so aim for a spot with at least a moderate level of daylight for the best effect.

In most UK gardens, Fatshedera grows to around 1.5–2m tall and 1–1.5m wide as a free‑standing shrub. Given support in the form of trellis, wires or canes, it can be trained higher, often to around 3m, behaving more like a semi‑climber. It doesn’t cling to surfaces by itself like true ivy, so it needs tying in rather than being allowed to scramble unchecked. Its growth is steady rather than rampant, which makes it relatively easy to keep within the space you have available.

Fatshedera is very well suited to container growing and makes a lovely feature in a large pot. Choose a generous container with good drainage holes and use a quality peat‑free, loam‑based compost mixed with a little grit. Position the pot in a sheltered, lightly shaded spot and water whenever the top of the compost begins to dry. A slow‑release fertiliser or occasional liquid feed in the growing season will keep foliage looking lush. Over time, you may need to refresh the compost and, if necessary, prune to maintain a comfortable size and shape.

In many milder and more sheltered parts of the UK, Fatshedera is adequately hardy, especially once well established in the ground. The roots are usually tough, but the evergreen leaves can mark in hard frosts, particularly in exposed positions or on variegated forms. In colder or windy gardens, give it the most sheltered spot you can, mulch around the base in autumn, and consider a little fleece over the top of young plants during the coldest nights. Container plants will always be a little more vulnerable and benefit from being moved to a protected corner for winter.