Questions &
Answers
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IDENTIFYING
YOUR IVY
Is it IVY?
QUESTION
We have some bulbs that were given to us and we were told that
they are (I know this isn't the correct spelling, but it sounds
like) smylux as in smile-ucks. Is this the common name for a
particular species? They are from the Fresno, California area.
The vines are used for decorative purposes and are delicate with
small green leaves (not variegated). I have seen them on table
centerpieces at Christmas time.The stems are very dark in color
(possibly black). The bulbs are rather small and cluster. The
leaves are more of a fan shape, no points and are less than a
half inch in size, each.
I am trying to learn about this plant's particular requirements
for optimal growth. (My wife thinks it is actually a fern and
not an ivy).
ANSWER
I believe you are referring to Smilax, an evergreen vine that
is often used by the floral trade. Smilax is the proper genus
name. It is not an ivy (Hedera) and it is not a fern.
It does belong to the Liliaceae Family. Using Hortus Third as
my reference, I read that there are 200 species of this vine.
I have used Smilax in floral work and I have seen it growing
at a Florida foliage nursery.
I have not had any personal experience with it other than I see
it growing here (southern California) in local gardens and it
can become a rather weedy problem if not controlled. Although
I am only guessing from limited experience, you should not have
any problem growing the vine but I do think it might prefer some
light shade.
What
is Trills Ivy?
QUESTION
Dear AIS, I bought my grandmother an Ivy plant the other night, it's a very small plant. It's called Trills Ivy. I was wondering if you could give me some information on that particular
plant i.e.. how to take care of it. And if it grows like Poison Ivy? If you could provide me with information about the Trellis Ivy or let me know how I could find out anything it would be much appreciated.
ANSWER
English Ivy (what your purchased) and Poison Ivy are not related
in any way. English Ivy is not
poisonous. There are more than 500 different cultivars of
English ivy but none named Trellis Ivy. We suspect it is just
a name the nursery put on the tag because most ivies are vines
and do send out long running stems. They also climb and work
nicely on trellises.
Also see: AIS Ivy Identification
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