Hedera helix, or English ivy, is one of the most creative plants in nature!
Ever since it burst into various mutations in the 1920s when the first self-branching forms were noticed, ivy has amazed us with the many unusual forms it can assume.
Keith E. Williams’s Three Fine Ivies
Three very fine ivies come from Keith E. Williams, the originator of the popular variety Telecurl.
WILLIAMSON is a variegated sport of GLACIER but with more uniform variegation and medium-sized leaves curl downward.
Margins are white, and the centers are attractive green and gray-green. Well-clothed stems give this variety a luxurious appearance.
Unlike some variegated kinds, WILLIAMSON is very thrifty.
Mr. Williams’ IVALACE is a most enchanting ivy. The medium-sized bright green leaves are five-lobed, and the margins are finely crimped, making the edging look like fine lace.
The young branches are produced freely and stand upright until 7” or 8” inches long.
The third variety is BIG DEAL. This is one of the most unusual ivies I have ever seen.
It doesn’t even look like ivy! The leaves are over 2” inches across and rounded in shape, exactly like geranium.
The first few plants were sold under the name GERANIUM.
The veins are prominent, radiating from the bases to the margins. The edges are puckered just as if gathered on a thread underneath.
Karl Frey introduced a new ivy named SPOTLIGHT. This Ivy had amazing top growth.
The branches almost tumble over each other as they emerge from a stem pinched only once. The top is very full and mounded.
The bright green leaves are ovate, up to 2 ½” inches long, prominently veined, overlapping, and closely underlaid by clusters of smaller leaves that fill the spaces between nodes.
A slight puckering highlights the foliage. It is a fast grower and should be useful in many ways.
New And Popular Ivies
Within the last year, the large wholesale firm of Weber Nurseries in Los Angeles, California, has introduced, without any fanfare, two new ivies fast becoming popular.
As the originators of GOLD DUST and JUBILEE, to mention two of their best. you can be sure that these new varieties are of exceptional merit.
Weber’s CALIFORNIA GOLD iS a gold variegated sport of CALIFORNIA. It is notable because it never reverts to a single strand of ivy.
It grows strongly on its roots but requires heavy feeding to bring out the true variegation.
As we do not have many gold ivies in this country, CALIFORNIA GOLD will fill a real need.
Weber’s other new ivy is named LANCELOT. This is a sport of GLACIER with the same coloring, green and white, but with distinguishing, clean-cut, spearhead-shaped leaves.
Hahn Introductions
WILLIAMSON, a new sport of the variety Glacier, has medium-sized gray-green leaves with white margins. Unlike many variegated sorts, Williamson grows vigorously.
The great firm of Louis Hahn and Son of Pittsburgh can be depended upon for a steady supply of new and noteworthy ivies.
Their newest releases are the following:
- GREEN RIPPLE
- SHAMROCK
- IMPROVED SYLVANIA BEAUTY
- GREEN RIPPLE
GREEN RIPPLE is hardy and vigorous and makes rapid, compact growth.
The leaves are small, but they are produced in abundance on upright growth that begins to recline when 3” or 4” inches high.
Many smaller leaves arise at the base of the main ones, pleasingly filling in the stem. The leaves have a very pointed apex and a glossy surface and are prominently veined.
SHAMROCK is quite distinct and derives its name from its three lobes, which are often almost equal in size.
They are small to medium and have raised veins on a partially raised surface. A profusion of leaves arises from the many small branches.
IMPROVED SYLVANIA BEAUTY has foliage that overlaps. The leaves are roughly cordate, 2 ½” to 3” inches long, and have raised venation which often appears depressed because of the somewhat crinkled effect on the older leaves.
The upper surface is glossy while the color varies from forest green to dark, dull yellow-green. The branches rise to 6” to 8” inches before tending to recline.
Green Crown And Teardrop
GREEN CROWN comes from Terrace View Gardens, Greencastle, Indiana, the creators of SNOWFLAKE.
It is a miniature-leaved, self-branching variety. The many small branches that arise from the main stem are so even in height that they form what might be called a “crown.”
GREEN CROWN will be useful where a small plant is desired.
The other introduction of Terrace View Gardens is TEAR DROP. The leaves are lanceolate and prominently veined.
Many branches arise from the base and stand upright until 10 inches high before tending to recline.
Ghost Tree Ivy
Something new in ivies is the tree ivy introduced by Soledad Gardens, San Diego, California.
It is so beautiful and unusual that I was completely bowled over when 1 saw a large specimen.
This is the species Hedera canariensis var. Viridis in the tree form.
Because of the peculiar ghostly feeling, one has when seeing the leaves of this plant tremble in the light breeze, and the unusual tree ivy has been called the GHOST TREE.
The various forms of Hedera canariensis are known in the florist trade as Algerian ivies.
The GHOST TREE ivy has extremely thick, tough leaves.
They feel almost like leather. I would say that they are twice as thick as those of the ordinary “Algerians.”
I have both the plain and the variegated CANARY CREAM Algerian growing on palm trees in our yard and have been able to compare.
The variegation of the tree ivy is the same as that of Viridis, but it differs from CANARY CREAM in that the white part is not strictly marginal but is dispersed in large cream- or ivory-colored areas on a light green background.
In large sizes, the GHOST TREE is a stunning decorative accent, yet it is most attractive as a pot plant of any size.
The introducers have specimens 10 feet high growing in 14-inch tubs.
The Culture Of Ivy
One of the outstanding characteristics of ivy is the case with which it propagates.
New plants can be started easily from cuttings taken at almost any time of year; the cooler periods, however, are preferable. Tip cuttings root easily but do not develop very fast.
Short pieces, known as mallet cuttings, with only one strong node and having potential roots below a tuft of leaves, do nicely; so do longer cuttings of older wood.
Sometimes a long branch can be pegged down on the propagating medium, and new plants are cut out of the line as soon as roots form.
Attacks of pests and diseases are very infrequent. In the dry winter heat of a home, aphids and spider mites may occasionally appear if the plants do not have a weekly bath; but they are easily killed with insecticides.
Aphids cause distorted leaves and secrete a sticky fluid on new growth, while spider mites cause a paling of the leaves and sometimes make a fine webbing visible on the leaves’ undersides.
Nicotine will dispose of aphids, and malathion will eradicate both aphids and spider mites.
When scale attacks ivy, the plants lose their vigor and may die back. The tan, circular, pin-head scales seen on the leaves’ undersides can be eradicated by a spray of an emulsion oil such as Volck.
This should be done in cool weather. Two or three malathion sprays in spring are also recommended for good control.
It is great fun to grow vigorous ivy plants, and it can be done with a minimum of time and effort. They are a joy to study, for there is such a diversity of foliage forms.
44659 by Bess L. Shippy