28o 



MY GARDEN. 



The manner in which ivy {Hedera Helix) insinuates itself into every 

 crevice has been described by the poet : — 



"And the ivy knits it closely to its stanchions, and passes 

 Through the crevices and hinges and the floor."— Coldwell. 



At other times the ivy, when it puts forth its flowering shoots, 

 assumes the character of a tree, and a tree converted as it were into 

 an ivy-tree is highly picturesque. We have many specimens. 



Lastly, when ivy has nothing to which it can conveniently cling, it 



hangs down in wild festoons, 



^- ^^41 1 <j ^B^ |^ which is nowhere better illus- 



\^^l t ^tw ^^g^ trated than at the waterfall at 



Dunkeld in Scotland. 



The small natural ivy is far 

 more beautiful than the large- 

 leaved or Irish ivy ; though 

 that is useful for certain situa- 



FlG. S70.— New Silver Edge. Fig. 571.— Gold-striped. 



tlons, and we use it to cover 

 the brick retaining walls of the Backwater. There are many exqui- 

 site varieties of the ivy, — some with foliage splashed with white, others 

 with gold and silver foliage, which are charming to grow over rootwork 

 and stumps. I have figured four varieties (figs. 570, 571, 572, 573), but 



Fic;. 572 — Old Silver Edge. 



Fig. 573-Elcgantissiina. Fig. 573 «— Virginian Creeper. 



where any extensive rootwork exists, as many varieties as can be pro- 

 cured should be grown, as each has its charm ; though, taking all 

 things into consideration, the common wild ivy of the woods is the 

 most lovely of all. H. Rmgneriana is fine for walls. 



