CLIMBERS AND TWINERS. 
359 
best of the variegated sorts are : Canariensis aureo-maculata, 
green and gold ; canariensis foliis argenteis, green and silver ; 
marginata, leaves green, edged with creamy-white and striped 
with pink in autumn ; marginata rubra, leaves edged rosy-red 
in autumn ; marginata aurea, leaves edged with orange-yellow 
or red ; marmorata, leaves large, blotched with creamy-white ; 
rhombea, leaves green, edged with creamy-white ; variegata, 
leaves blotched and edged with creamy-white. Tree ivies (H. 
Helix arborescens) are varieties of a non-climbing habit, which 
are growm as bushes or low standards. These are valuable 
for the winter decoration of beds. To ensure them retaining 
their compact habit they have to be grown continually in pots 
and plunged in the soil. There are golden and silver variegated 
varieties of Tree ivies as well as green-leaved forms with black 
or yellow berries. As regards the climbing sorts the green- 
leaved forms may be grown on any aspect, but the soil should 
be deep and rich, and will be all the better if freely mixed 
with old mortar. The ivy revels in a limy soil. To grow ivy 
well against walls or fences, trench the soil 2ft. wide and 3ft. 
deep and fork in plenty of rotten manure with it. The varie- 
gated sorts are best grown in poor soil — i.e., soil to which no 
manure has been added. A rich soil causes the variegation to 
lose its beauty and the leaves eventually to revert to a green 
colour. Then, again, they require a warmer aspect than the 
green sorts, and do best against a south, south-west or west 
wall. The variegated sorts are also suitable for planting at the 
base of vases, sides of stone steps, rambling over low tree- 
stumps, growing as edgings to borders, or trailing over rocks. 
The best time to plant ivy is in April. The plants should be 
purchased in pots, well watered an hour or so before planting, 
and then transferred to the soil without unduly disturbing the 
roots. Make the soil firm and loosely secure the shoots to the 
wall. The first season the soil must be kept well watered. 
To cover a wall or fence quickly procure plants a yard or so 
high and plant these a foot or i8in. apart, and train the shoots 
upwards. In this fashion a fence will be covered in a couple 
of years or so. Weak plants of green ivies that do not grow 
strongly after the first year should be cut down to a few 
inches from the soil in April. In due course the plants will 
put forth vigorous growth and make strong plants. Once the 
plants get established the shoots will cling of their own accord 
and then no training will be required. Once a year, in April, 
the green ivies grown on walls or fences should be closely 
trimmed, cutting off the large leaves and loose shoots. This 
will ensure an even, dense growth, and prevent snails and other 
pests linking under the foliage. We have previously remarked 
that the Irish ivy does well under the shade of trees. W'here 
