196 VINES 
One of the commonest and best of all vines 
for winter decoration is the English ivy (Hedera 
Helix). The dark-green foliage of this plant 
can be used for so many different purposes that 
I cannot understand why it is not more popular 
for cut greenery effects. I have used it for years 
in this connection and have come to prize it 
highly. Being rather hardy it is often used in 
window boxes for city houses during winter. 
Among the many forms to which it can be trained 
for the living rooms, the most common is the 
pyramid. To make one of these, set along the 
outside edge of a wooden tub, not less than a 
foot square, small ivy plants, as close together 
as possible. Drive a four-foot stake down in 
the centre of the tub and string wires from the 
top of it to the outside edge of the tub for the 
vines to climb. A fine specimen can be obtained 
in two seasons if you start with plants from three 
or four-inch pots. 
