'Telecurl' is a semi-dwarf form with twisted leaves and stems that forms a twisted woody trunk, which makes it excellent for bonsai.
'Gold Heart' is a lovely ivy. The leaf centers range from pale yellow (in the deep shade this one has been living in) to a very bright gold. I've seen photos of it with larger leaves, so expect that leaf size might change once this gets in the ground. This one is a new one for me this year...couldn't resist it! It would be just the thing for brightening up that dark corner where you haven't been able to get anything to grow.
This is another small leaf type of no name. Well, it probably has one, but I don't know it. Really rather nice. You can get a hint of the rich texture these tiny leaf ivies can provide. Feature that concrete garden bench of yours sitting in a bed of this ivy in a shady spot. Or it might be a very nice groundcover next to a paved area and allowed to overlap the paving here and there.
More Ivy Pix From Philly
There was an exhibit of ivy at the Philadelphia Flower Show last spring and I managed to capture a few of them before I ran out of film.
'Amber Waves' was planted to flow through rocks and groups of spring bulbs. It looked like the new growth is this lovely fresh chartreuse, while older leaves turned darker. The mix of colors simply glowed. I'm not sure where they got the "Amber" from, since the color is such a fresh yellow-green, but you could squint your eyes and imagine waves rushing between the rocks during incoming tide.
'California Fan'. Extraordinarily dark green with a most unusual leaf shape. This one deserves a light colored wall to climb.
'Gold Child' is the reverse of 'Gold Heart', wearing its gold as an edging. I think it would be just a cheerful in a dark spot.
I have read that the gold colored forms need some shade, since they are subject to burning in full sun in hot climates. On this topic, ivy is best planted on east or north walls, not south or west ones, in the northern hemisphere, because it will be less subject to winter burn. Winter burn can be caused by cold winds and also by plants being frozen overnight and then thawing out too rapidly from the reflected heat of a masonry wall - only to freeze again when the sun goes down. While ivy is tough as nails, it does need some protection from dry winter winds and winter sun.
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