Peter Q. Rose. The Gardener's Guide to Growing Ivies. Timber Press. 1996.

Visit any florist shop or nursery today and you'll find pots of ivy. The hardy forms are commonly seen climbing the sides of older buildings. This plant is so common and well know that most people don't realize that it is not a native plant. Ivy is only native to Europe, North Africa and Asia.

One of the most recent books on ivies is The Gardener's Guide to Growing Ivies. This comprehensive book presents the history of ivy, its cultivation, and descriptions of most of the ivy species, cultivars and clones. Let's take a closer look at this book's contents now.

Historical Uses of Ivy

According to Peter Rose, archeologists have dated ivy pollen found at ruins to 5600 B.C. The first written accounts of ivy date back to 370-287 B.C. One of the interesting uses of ivy occurred in Roman times -- stores used an adult ivy bush as a sign that they sold wine. You'll have to read the rest of chapter 1 to learn more of the history of ivy and man's use of the plant.

Pliny the elder, an early doctor, used a concoction of ivy leaves, vinegar and rose oil to cure headaches. Other early doctors used ivy to cure skin blemishes. Early in the 1st millennium, doctors used powdered ivy berries mixed in water as a cure for bladder stones. Other cures made from parts of the ivy plant are discussed in chapter 2.

Why is a Plant Called an Ivy?

Taxonomists, those people who name plants or animals, study plants to find characteristics which can separate one group of plants from any other group of plants. In the case of ivies, several features are useful. Ivies have juvenile leaves and, for reasons not yet known, the plant eventually grows adult leaves which look quite different. Another feature that helps the taxonomists and botanists is the presence of tiny hairs on the leaves and stems. Chapter 3 discusses ivy flowers, types of variegated leaves, and even a parasitic plant that lives on the ivy. You'll have to read the chapter in its entirety to learn more.

All ivies belong to the plant genus Hedera. I counted 8 ivy species listed in this book. Chapter 4 talks about how the plant was named and discusses the currently used rules of nomenclature. If you're a gardener, you may not be fussy about having the specific name of each ivy you have. Botanists, on the other hand, seek to identify each plant down to its genus, species, variety, subgenus, etc. Study the diagrams in this chapter carefully to learn the different parts of the leaf and stem, and the shape of the hairs. One important detail necessary to understanding the next chapter is that most ivy found in our stores today as houseplants are actually clones. This means that a different looking leaf appeared on some other species and was then propagated vegetatively.

A-Z of Species, Varieties & Clones

Chapter 5 lists and describes nearly 300 different ivy plants. Some are illustrated with color photographs. Rose tells us the history of most of the plants and how to distinguish the specific species, variety, or clone. The reader should be aware that not all ivies are hardy outdoor growers; many are strictly houseplants in the northern hemisphere. The descriptions may be a bit difficult to understand for the average gardener. Specialists will find all the details they crave about the individual plants.

Where to Use Ivies and How to Grow Them

Since most ivies are climbers, it is natural to use them along fences or to climb garden walls. Some adult ivies can be treated as a shrub in hedges. Many ivies are used in topiaries. There are even ivies suitable for rock gardens. Many of the thin-leaved ivies are used in terrariums as houseplants. Chapter 6 suggests species for these uses and many others.

All you need to know about taking care of ivy plants is found in chapter 7. Everything from propagating the plant, picking the growing media, and pests and diseases is covered. This chapter will be beneficial whether gardeners use hardy ivy in their outside gardens or grow them inside as houseplants.

Conclusions

The Gardener's Guide to Growing Ivies is a complete handbook for anyone interested in ivies. The writing can be a bit heavy for those without a scientific inclination but most chapters are easily understood by an ordinary gardener too. In my opinion, this is required book for most indoor gardeners. It will challenge every gardener to consider adding one or more of these plants to their gardens.