PRESS RELEASE 

November 6, 2001

Introducing "Ivy of the Year" 2002

Hedera helix
'Teardrop'

'TEARDROP' SELECTED AS
"IVY OF THE YEAR" 2002

Hedera helix 'Teardrop' has been selected by The American Ivy Society as "Ivy of the year for 2002.

It isn't hard to guess how 'Teardrop' got its name. It really looks like a teardrop with shiny dark green leaves that are unlobed and longer than wide. It has conspicuous green veins radiating out from the base of the leaf blade. The unusual leaf shape is probably the result of fasciation in the petiole. "Fasciation" is where there is a thickening or bundling together
of various plant tissues. This can happen in any part of the plant, stem, petiole or leaf blades. In 'Teardrop' the fasciation appears to be in the petiole which causes some constriction of the leaf base which produceds the unusual venation pattern.

'Teardrop' is self-branching and easy to grow in pot or basket. On occasion you may even see multiple branches arising from a single node. In the garden it is not invasive and has been tested for hardiness. It has survived temperatures as low as minus l5 degrees F. in Ohio.

Ivies chosen for the "Ivy of the Year" must be easy to grow, hardy, lush beautiful and not invasive. It must also pass greenhouse and outdoor trials by The American Ivy Society as well as by commercial growers.

Hedera helix 'Teardrop" was first described in 1955 by Bess L. Shippy who gave it its name.
It has gone through various name changes as growers in Denmark and Holland discovered this interesting plant, but The International Registrar of Hedera has now accepted 'Teardrop' as the correct name.

For more information about "Ivy of the Year" or photos contact:
Suzanne Warner Pierot, The American Ivy Society
33 Hickory Road, Willow, New York 12495
Phone or Fax 845 688 5318

Membership in The American Ivy Society is $20 yearly. Contact:
The American Ivy Society, National Headquarters
PO Box 2123, Naples, Florida 34106-2123
http://www.ivy.org

Photo:© 2002 Rachel Cobb

For Ivy of the Year 2001 Hedera helix 'Lady Frances'

For Ivy of the Year 2002 Hedera helix 'Teardrop' 

For Ivy of the Year 2003 Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot'

For Ivy of the Year 2004 Hedera helix 'Duck Foot'

For Ivy of the Year 2005 Hedera helix 'Misty'

For Ivy of the Year 2006 Hedera helix 'Anita'

For Ivy of the Year 2007 Hedra helix 'Shamrock'

For Ivy of the Year 2008 Hedra helix 'Gold Child'