What plant is kept forever young?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

August 8, 2002

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Goldheart Ivy, Thorndale Ivy, Honeysuckle—>Click here.

Bittersweet, Ring-a-Round the Tree Garden—>Click here.

English ivy (Hedera helix Linnaeus) has long been cultivated for its graceful elegance as a wall and ground cover. Hedera is its Roman name; hederiger described someone 'wearing ivy', a show of rank. Even today, ivy-league implies wealth, tradition, and excellence. English ivy is one of five species of Hedera, members of the Araliaceae, the ginseng family. It is native to Europe, western Asia,
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Princeton University: Ivy Photographic Print John Rizzuto III
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and North Africa.

English ivy is a woody vine that climbs by sending out adventitious roots that hold to masonry or rock. The familiar vine is actually the juvenile form; the adult plant is almost never seen. Juvenile vines frequently produce unstable mutations—a branch whose leaves differ in shape or color from the dark green, five-lobed leaves of the 'parent' vine. That branch removed, propagated, and named is an ivy cultivar. Hortus Third (L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University, 1976) lists eighty-eight named cultivars of this vine.

The cultivars must be continually repropagated by cuttings, selecting only the branches that remain 'true' to the cultivar's form. Cutting and rooting the branches keeps the ivy in its juvenile state. If the cultivar is simply allowed to grow, it will eventually revert to the original or wild type. Old ivy vines, but still juveniles, have been measured at 27 meters
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Common Ivy, Hedera helix Photographic Print Geoff Kidd
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(90 feet).

If allowed to freely climb a wall or tree that is greater than 5 meters (16 feet) in height, the vine will become shrubby past the point where it is no longer supported. The shrub is the adult form and looks very different from the vine; its branches are not flexible and the leaves are elliptic or ovate. It is only in the adult stage that ivy will bloom and produce berries. At this stage, the adult ivy can be cut and rooted and will grow as a garden shrub.

Den Virtuella Floran has several photographs of ivy, Hedera helix. To view the photographs taken by Anna-Lena and Arne Anderberg, click on the link:

http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/di/aralia/heder/hedehel.html

Click on the individual thumbnails to enlarge the images. Note the top thumbnail is the adult form of Hedera helix.

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Goldheart Ivy

Springhill Nursery®

Impressive bicolor foliage lightens up any garden area. Small green flowers appear from September through November. Although this vine is really grown for its striking foliage, it can also be used as a ground cover. Distinctive green ivy leaves have unusual gold centers. Pinkish-red stems mature to chocolate. As a vine, it grows to a height of 15' tall.

Deer tend to avoid. shipped in 3'' pot.
Hedera helix ‘Goldheart’
Zone 3 to 8.

Goldheart Ivy Ships In The Fall Click here - Save $20 on $50 order More Vines

Thorndale Ivy

Springhill Nursery®

Creates a shiny, 6-8" carefree, evergreen carpet in difficult places. Large, veined, sub-zero hardy leaves spread fast but don’t become a nuisance.

Space 8-12'' apart.
Hedera helix ‘Thorndale’
Deer Resistant
Zone 3 to 9.

Thorndale Ivy Ships In Both Spring And Fall Click here - Save $20 on $50 order More Ground Covers

Honeysuckle Vine

Michigan Bulb®

Enjoy the stunning good looks and sweet fragrance of this popular, carefree vine.

It spreads quickly, covering trellises and walls with beautiful blooms.

12-18" plants. Potted.

Zone 4 to 9 Click here for $20 off your first order of $50 or more at Michigan Bulb!

[More vines...] [Buy One - Get One Free Sale...]

Bittersweet Vine Collection (3 Plants, 1 male and 2 females.)

Springhill Nursery®

The Bittersweet Vine Collection is a favorite for everlasting arrangements!

Native American vine grows 20-30' with handsome green leaves. In fall, bright yellow seed pods open to reveal bright red berries, for a stunning effect in the landscape or in bouquets.

For fruit, you must plant both male and female plants. This collection includes one male and three females.

Space 3' apart. Shipped in 3" pot.

Celastrus scandens

One collection contains 3 plants, 1 male and 2 females

Zone 3 to 9 Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

[More Vines...] [Ground Covers...] [On Sale...]

Ring-a-Round the Tree Garden

Springhill Nursery®

A lone tree begs to be under planted. You can be a lot more creative than simply surrounding it with Ivy, Pachysandra or Vinca. Us the Ring-a-Round the Tree Garden! Here, Caladiums are the scene-stealers. (Actually, we prefer their common name, "Rainbow Plants," because no two leaves are ever identical.) They are rich in shades of pink and red with white, lime green and cream, often creating a tricolor effect. Astilbes heighten the red and pink color emphasis. Hostas and Ferns provide long-lasting foliage contrasts. You're sure to find this garden a delight in any shady location, with or without a tree. Fills approximately 100 sq. ft. with color and elegance all summer long.

1 garden includes 20 prime quality plants listed:

(A $88.94 Catalog Value.)

5- White-Edged Hosta
3- Virginia Bluebells
6- Lily-of-the-Valley
1- Lady Fern
3- Barbara Mitchell Reblooming Daylily
2- Red Fanal Astilbe

Ring-a-Round the Tree Garden Ships In The Fall Click here - Save $20 on $50 order

This collection includes:

White Edged Hosta (5), Dramatic emerald leaves with white edges. Lavender flowers. Grows 15-24'' high, 24-36'' wide.
Virginia Bluebells (3), One of early to mid-spring's most delightful sights in the wild or in the garden.
Lily-of-the-Valley (6), Clusters of fragrant white bells on 8-10" stems appear in mid to late spring amid emerald-green leaves.
Lady Fern (1), Versatile and hardy, tropical looking fern. Summer fronds up to 30" long and 12-24" wide are great for shady areas.
Barbara Mitchell Reblooming Daylily (3), One of the best pink daylilies! Soft pink with a yellow and light green throat. Six-inch blooms with large, ruffled petals. Tolerant of a wide range of climates.
Red Fanal Astilbe (Red) (2), The all-time favorite for bringing gorgeous color to shady spots! Great accenting fresh bouquets and arrangements.