JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER,  September  27,  1900. 
280 
Ivy  and  Its  Uses. 
Ivy  as  a  garden  plant  is  much  neglected,  when  we  consider  the 
many  and  various  uses  to  which  it  may  be  put  in  garden  decoration.  True, 
Ivy  is  largely  employed  for  covering  otherwise  bare  walls  and  fences, 
where  little  else  will  succeed,  but  such  employment  as  this  does  not 
utilise  Ivy  in  the  way  that  its  merits  deserve.  With  the  200  varieties 
that  exist  much  might  be  done  in  a  decorative  manner  with  this  plant. 
So  far  as  I  know,  the  height  to  which  an  Ivy  plant  will  grow  has 
never  been  determined,  as  in  the  case  of  most  trees  and  shrubs.  The 
growth  of  Ivy  seems  to  be  unlimited  as  long  as  it  receives  no  check. 
The  moment  the  tiniest  seedling  plant  puts  forth  its  first  leaf,  its 
natural  tendency  is  upward,  and  given  the  least  support  up  it  goes, 
(juickly  or  slowly  according  to  circumstances.  We  often  see  the 
common  Ivy  up  a  tree  50  feet  high ;  once  it  reaches  the  summit  its 
nature  changes  at  once,  giving  a  crop  of  blossom  and  berries.  This 
alteration  in  growth  is  owing  to  the  lack  of  support  for  its  trailing 
shoots  ;  having  nothing  to  cling  to  they  bend  first  horizontally,  and 
as  their  weight  increases  a  check  is  given  to  the  direct  flow  of  sap, 
resulting  in  a  change  of  growth. 
Ivies  may  be  successfully  cultivated  in  a  purely  ornamental 
character,  but  they  may  also  be  made  distinctly  serviceable.  Under  this 
category  comes  the  drying  of  damp  walls  owing  to  the  employment 
of  ex  ra  porous  bricks  or  too  wide  mortar  joints.  By  covering  such 
walls  with  large  leaved  varieties  like  H.  dentata  and  Ksegneriana, 
both  of  which  have  drooping  leafstalks,  every  leaf  overlaps  its 
neighbour,  making  a  surface  impervious  to  water.  For  forming 
edges  to  paths,  or  for  covering  the  soil  under  tall  trees.  Ivy  will 
flourish  if  given  deeply  dug  and  well  manured  soil  to  begin  with. 
Afterwards  the  decomposing  leaves  from  the  trees  above  will 
stimulate  the  Ivy  sufficiently.  Dwarf  growing  varieties  on  a  rockery, 
whether  composed  of  stones  or  tree  roots,  is  always  a  pleasing  sight. 
When  Ivy  is  employed  to  cover  high  western  walls,  a  pleasing  eft'tct 
can  be  secured  by  intermixing  with  the  Ivy  Ampelopsis  hederacea, 
^  irginian  Creeper.  The  deep  green  of  the  Ivy  affords  an  attractive 
contrast  to  the  bright  hue  of  the  Ampelopsis  when  it  assumes  its 
ruddy  autumn  tint.  The  long  leafstalks,  too,  of  this  climber  will 
allow  the  full  leaf  to  project  over  the  Ivy,  thus  the  whole  of  the 
bright  covering  is  seen.  Instead  of  covering  broad  and  high  walls 
with  one  Ivy  much  more  interest  would  be  provided  if  several  varieties 
were  employed  in  masses  or  blocks  of  each.  Ivies  vary  considerably 
in  colour  according  to  the  stages  of  growth  in  spring,  summer  and 
autumn. 
Much  more  might  be  done  in  the  way  of  growing  round  busby 
plants  laden  with  blossom  and  berries  for  filling  flower  beds,  vases,  or 
even  massing  in  prominent  parts  of  the  shrubbery.  The  varieties 
H.  Helix  and  H.  H.  Esegneriana  are  capital  for  this  work.  Plants 
trained  in  this  form  are  easily  raised  from  cuttings  inserted  in 
September  on  a  north  border.  The  only  point  of  importance  is  to  be 
sure  that  the  cuttings  taken  are  from  flowering  shoots.  There  is 
no  occasion  whatever  to  graft  these  varieties  to  insure  bushy 
plants  that  will  not  extend  more  than  a  yard  each  for  many  years. 
For  the  winter  decoration  of  terraces,  verandahs,  or  the  cool  greenhouse, 
Ivies  in  variety  may  be  successfully  grown  in  pots  or  tubs  many  years 
without  repotting.  An  annual  top-dressing  of  rich  soil,  and  regular 
attention  with  water  during  the  summer  will  maintain  the  plants  in 
a  healthy  condition. 
The  propagation  of  the  majority  of  Ivies  is  a  simpH  matter. 
Cuttings  10  inches  long,  taken  from  the  current  season’s  shoots  in 
September,  inserted  firmly  in  rows  with  a  pinch  of  .sand  at  the  base 
of  each  on  a  shady  border,  quickly  make  roots  and  grow  into  stout 
plants.  In  covering  walls  it  is  not  necessary  to  go  to  the  trouble  of 
a  sfcond  planting,  as  cuttings  inserted  thickly  in  prepared  soil  in  their 
peimanent  position  root  readily  and  receive  no  check  in  transplanting. 
To  obtain  extra  strong  plants  grow  them  in  pots  for  a  couple  of 
seasons,  giving  them  liberal  treatment.  The  more  delicate  variegated 
forms  are  generally  raised  by  gralting  them  on  to  healthy  stocks  in 
pots  of  the  Irish  Ivy — H.  canariensis — and  by  inserting  cuttings 
6  inches  long  in  pots  of  sandy  soil  in  a  gentle  bottom  heat  in  March. 
Ivy  culture  is  a  simple  matter;  deeply  dug,  heavily  manured,  and 
well  drained  soil  is  the  principal  point,  coupled  with  abundance  of 
water  at  the  roots  during  dry  weather.  Occasional  applications  of 
liquid  manure  will  hasten  the  growth  considerably. 
A  selection  of  varieties  might  be  an  advantage  to  the  intending 
planter.  From  Hedera  Helix,  the  common  or  English  Ivy,  many 
varieties  have  been  raised.  For  covering  tolerably  high  walls  or 
screens,  and  especially  for  low  walls  or  edgings  to  paths,  this  is  an 
ixcellent  Ivy,  as  it  gives  so  many  forms  of  leaf  colour. 
H.  H.  canariensis  (Irish  Ivy)  is  the  vigorous  growing  large-leaved 
form  so  common  on  walls.  H.  H.  dentata  and  H.  H.  Esegneriana 
are  two  of  the  best  strong  growing  varieties.  The  latter  under 
favourable  conditions  will  extend  its  growth  as  much  as  6  feet  in  a 
season.  It,  however,  does  not  cling  quite  so  closely  as  some ;  hence 
more  attention  is  required  in  securing  the  young  shoots  as  they  are 
made.  H.  H.  atropurpurea  is  one  of  the  most  ornamental  Ivies  in 
the  winter,  when  the  haves  assume  a  deep  purple  hue.  The  growth 
is  compact,  the  leaves  having  short  stalks.  H.  H.  maderiensis  has 
light  green  leaves,  and  is  vigorous,  though  compact  in  growth.' h  Other 
large-leaved  varieties  a  e  H.  II.  deltoidea,  lobata  major,  lucida,  land 
Willsiana.  Varieties  with  small  leaves,  such  as  H.  H.  digitata,. 
donerailensis,  palmata,  gracilis,  chrysocarpa,  and  hastata  are  extremely 
useful  for  the  rockery. 
Variegated  Ivies  are  much  admired.  Marginata  aurea  is  a  distinct 
and  beautiful  form;  the  purple-red  colour  of  the  young  stems  renders 
this  an  attractive  variety,  coupled  with  its  leaves,  which  are  delicately 
margined  with  faint  orange  yellow,  tending  to  red.  In  chrysophylla 
the  variegation  appears  in  patches  on  the  young  growth,  many  of  the 
leaves  being  wholly  deep  yellow.  This  variety  should  not  be  given 
very  rich  soil  in  which  to  grow,  as  th's  is  liable  to  arrest  variegation. 
Argentea  major  has  broad  leaves,  which  vary  from  an  angular  deltoid 
to  a  narrow  ovate  outline.  The  green  portion  of  the  leaf  is  intensely 
coloured,  with  a  broad  white  margin.  Luteola  has  a  narrow  band  of 
rich  yellow.  Pallida,  the  golden  blotched  form  of  the  Irish  Ivy,  is 
useful,  especially  where  tall  and  rapid  growth  is  desirable.  Maculata 
is  perhaps  the  finest  variegated  Ivy  for  pot  culture  in  the  grandiflora 
group. — E.  Molyneux. 
-  -  -  — 
Fruit  at  Downside. 
Downside  is  the  residence  of  E.  George,  Esq.,  and  is  one  of  the  fine 
bouses  abutting  on  Bristol’s  magnificent  playground,  Durdham 
Downs.  Calling  on  Mr.  Eoss,  the  very  capable  fruit  grower  who  has 
charge  of  the  gardens  there,  conversation  naturally  turned  on  fruit, 
and  the  usual  look  round  was  suggested.  The  present  garden  has 
been  made  and  planted,  and  all  the  fruit  houses  erected  and  borders 
formed  under  Mr.  Boss’s  superintendence,  and  therefore,  although  no 
expense  has  been  spared  by  a  generous  employer,  to  him  is  great 
credit  due  for  the  excellent  condition  of  the  crops  as  a  whole,  and  th© 
fruit  inside  and  out  in  particular. 
It  would  be  difficult  to  take  the  fruit  in  order  of  merit,  but  the 
Grapes  are  the  most  important.  In  the  earlier  vineries  much  of  the  fruit 
had  been  gathered  of  course,  but  it  would  be  very  difficult  to  find 
finer  houses  of  Grapes  than  the  midseason  and  late  ones.  It  is  almost 
useless  to  particularise,  but  perhaps  the  finest  of  all  is  Canon  Hall 
Muscat.  As  everyone  who  has  had  experience  with  it  is  aware  this 
fine  Grape  is  by  no  means  easy  to  grow.  At  Downside  it  has  the  run 
of  a  very  large  border,  and  this  is  contrary  to  what  is  usually 
considered  best  for  it.  But  facts  speak  for  themselves,  and  the  results 
justify  the  means,  for  both  in  bunch  and  berry  they  are  excellent, 
and  the  latter  are  of  that  fine  amber  tint  so  much  admired  in  this 
excellent  sort. 
Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Gros  Maroc,  Gros  Colman,  and  other 
varieties  are  all  in  their  best  form.  There  are  grandly  finished 
examples  of  Alnwick  Seedling  and  Alicantes.  Mrs.  Pince  is  not 
always  a  success,  but  it  is  very  fine  here.  The  bunches  are  remarkably 
compact,  well  shouldered,  and  even  in  berry,  while  the  weight 
would  average  about  7  lbs.  to  the  bunch,  a  very  good  average  too, 
considering  there  are  six  or  seven  of  these  to  the  Vine.  The  handsome 
Madresfield  Court  is  one  of  the  most  useful  Grapes  in  cultivation. 
Mr.  Eoss  thinks  highly  of  it,  and  the  Vines  are  carrying  a  large 
number  of  splendidly  finished  specimens. 
In  the  outside  fruit  department  the  happy  medium  has  been 
struck  with  regard  to  pruning  of  Apples  and  Pears  in  bush  form. 
They  are  not  allowed  to  grow  wild  as  some  growers  appear  to  think 
necessary,  but  on  the  other  hand  they  are  not  closely  stubbed  in,  a  far 
worse  fault  to  ray  thinking  than  too  much  freedom.  It  is  useless  to 
give  a  string  of  names  ;  all  the  leading  varieties  are  w'ell  represented, 
but  Stirling  Castle,  Frogmore  Prolific,  and  the  newer  Allington  Pippin 
seem  to  stand  out  as  the  finest. 
Heavy  cropping  from  the  first  has  led  to  a  very  satisfactory  state 
of  the  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees  on  the  walls  outside.  The  growth 
has  not  been  weakened,  but  gross  wood  has  been  kept  down  by  these 
means.  Personally  I  thought  the  crops  on  the  majority  of  the  trees 
far  too  heavy  for  their  continued  well-doing,  but  doubtless  Mr.  Ross,  who 
has  them  in  eye  all  through  the  year,  is  the  best  judge  of  ti  is.  Elruge 
and  Pitmaston  Orange  Nectarines  are  simply  crowded  with  fine  fruits, 
as  are  Barrington  and  other  Peaches,  Stirling  Castle  being  in 
especially  fine  form  and  colour.  The  crops  of  outdoor  Tomatoes  are 
prodigious,  and  although  there  are  many  other  points  of  interest 
that  could  be  noted  this  short  account  must  suffice  lor  the  present. — 
H.  R,  Eichards. 
