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Vines - Part 5 - Ivy - Page 3

© Marge Talt

Ivy will cover an unsightly chain link fence as well as an un-mowable bank. While it grows in full sun, exposure to winter sun and wind can cause leaf burn. It's ideal for shady gardens because it will grow in very dense shade, although I have found that it doesn't make as thick a cover as it will with some light.

In the Ground - And Up

I find I'm developing a fair collection of ivy. I have the species, Hedera helix (or possibly its subsp. helix) and quite a number of assorted cultivars. It covers ground in various spots, grows up parts of the house walls and grows up trees to good effect. Of course, bambi loves it and prunes the leaves from the stems as far up as can be reached, as you can see here. The inset shows the pattern of ivy stems that's now a permanent feature of my garden since the vines have all but given up trying to re-leaf in these areas.

I also grow two varieties of bird's foot ivy (Sagitifolius, I think) up different columns supporting our covered walkway. This is the solid green form. See how the leaf shape is beginning to vary with some age and the fact that they have reached the roof and can't really climb much higher. Most of the leaves are very narrow with a much longer, pointed center lobe, while at the lower right of the photograph, you can see two much larger leaves who have lost the narrow form.

Both have spread a bit on the ground over ten years, but not a lot. I really enjoy these and since they are at eye level as you pass back and forth on the walk, it's quite convenient to examine them frequently.

This is the white variegated form, which, being the variegated nut that I am, gives me extreme pleasure. It too, has started to develop some larger leaves. Both of them hang down in graceful swags from the top of the columns.

Tapestry Wall

Last year, I planted a tapestry wall, seen here through the supports of my unfinished greenhouse. I've always wanted to try growing various types together and meant to make a bank of it. But, considering deer depredation, I've held off. This wall is an experiment in more ways than one. It's built of logs, which I know will rot in time, but I'm hoping the ivy will take hold and by the time the logs disintegrate, hold the bank. We shall see. So far (knock on wood) bambi has not discovered this, hidden away behind the greenhouse.

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