Almost 25 years ago, a greenhouse that was going out of business sold a small cutting of ivy to a young man who was just starting into business.
This particular ivy was variegated green and white, unusual, didn’t have a name, and was fairly difficult to propagate. The young man worked with the ivy, began to grow and produce it commercially and named it “Vic’s Variegated,” which is what it was known as for a long time.
Many years later, through a friendship with Pat Hammer, the head ivy curator at Longwood Gardens, a large botanical garden outside of Philadelphia, the ivy was reclassified, registered with the American Ivy Society, and renamed “Calico,” which is what it is known as today. But for a long time, Vic’s Variegated was propagated and available only from Vic Vanik.
If you’ve never had an ivy, you’re missing out on one of the best and easiest plants to grow. Versatile and beautiful, there’s an ivy for almost any need and depending on the variety, can be used either indoors or outdoors. Ivies have been around for centuries – there is mention of them in Ancient Rome as well as in mythology. Throughout the years, breeders have hybridized ivies into hundreds of types in a wide variety of colors, patterns and sizes.
Ivies range in size from the very tiny “Itsy Bitsy” and “Duckfoot” to larger-leafed varieties such as “Sweetheart” and “Calico.” The leaves vary as well from very pointed to large and softly rounded. Colors range from deep, dark green to lighter green and the variegated varieties’ colors range from gold to pale, creamy white.
As a houseplant, ivy is one that I enjoy because not only does it add year round greenery to your home, is extremely easy to care for and grow, but it’s also fun. They can be trained into topiaries, potted by themselves or combined with other flowers or plants for a dramatic effect. Many times ivy is included in dish gardens and floral arrangements as it is easy to work with and adds a pretty touch to soften a display.
Indoors, ivy needs a brightly lit spot but be aware that it will send out runners towards whatever light is available. Check to be sure you aren’t overwatering and this easy houseplant will thrive for years. Easily managed by snipping back, cuttings can be rooted in soil or water to start new plants.
Outdoors, ivy can be used in a variety of ways. Since it grows so freely and readily and it will attach itself to almost any surface, it is often used on trellises, fences, or as a ground cover. It spreads easily and is sometimes used to hold soil on slopes and hard to maintain areas. You often see it used under trees or in places that are hard to mow. In our dry climate here, ivy needs to be planted in a place that receives a fair amount of moisture and is in the shade for most of the time. Hot sun will scorch these plants.
It’s one of the more interesting plants because ivy has a tendency to mutate and change. This means that the original green plant that you started with, may, after a long period of growth, branch out and mutate into golds, creams or white tones. The pattern on the leaves often changes on the same runner. Snipping and rooting these cuttings is how new varieties are developed.
If you wish to take cutting off of your ivy, there are several ways to do this. You can take a runner, several inches long, strip off the very bottom leaves and plant into soil or put it into water in a warm place. The roots will then form and it can be planted.
Ivy runners can also be cut into small, individual pieces by cutting between each leaf and then they can be planted directly into soil. This is a good way to encourage the growth and development of a particular pattern that may have emerged on a runner.
Many people don’t realize that most ivies that we see in a garden center or greenhouse are immature. Mature ivies, when reaching the adult stage will change leaf form, flower, stop climbing, stop making aerial roots, and may produce berries. The berries are toxic and should not be eaten, although they are fine food for birds and wildlife.
So the next time you have ivy in a planter or an arrangement, you may wish to save it and root it to see what develops. Like the young man all those years ago, you may come up with something entirely new and different!
Gail Vanik can be reached at 970-565-8274 or by email at fourseasons@animas.net.
