Introducing "Ivy of the Year" 2007

Hedera helix 'Shamrock'

'Shamrock' SELECTED AS
"IVY OF THE YEAR" 2007

Hedera helix ‘Shamrock’ has been selected by the American Ivy Society as the “Ivy of the Year” for 2007.

This miniature bird’s foot ivy has proven the test of time. ‘Shamrock’ was discovered in the early 1950’s by Louis Hahn & Son Nursery Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was introduced into Europe in 1954 where it has been called the “Clover leaf” Ivy. The name “Shamrock”
actually was to honor the Shamrock Hotel, Houston, Texas where this ivy was first introduced to the Florist Trade at a meeting in 1957.

‘Shamrock’ has leaves of mostly three rounded lobes of near equal size with the two lateral lobes overlapping the terminal lobe. The lobes are sometimes divided into almost three leaflets. Shamrock can be very self-branching making mounds of growth. The color is a dark green with lighter veins.

Over the years some slightly different versions of ‘Shamrock’ have been selected. Some with flatter and larger leaves than the original are still considered in the Shamrock group.

This well behaved ivy is equally suited as a house plant, where it does well as a pot plant or topiary, or as an out door ivy. It is very winter hardy surviving to at least zone 5 or minus 20 degrees. Since this is a green ivy it will tolerate even the darkest corner of your garden but will also do well in the sun.

The American Ivy Society started the “Ivy of the Year” program in 2001 with ‘Lady Frances’; 2002 ‘Teardrop’; 2003 ‘Golden Ingot’; 2004 ‘Duck Foot’; 2005 ‘Misty’; and 2006 ‘Anita’.

For successful out door planting, remember to plant ivies deep, removing several of the lower leaves and planting to the new lowest leaves. Ivies will root along the stem, helping them to become established. When possible, plant ivies where they will be protected from the winter sun and wind, which causes the most winter damage.

To Join the American Ivy Society: $20 annually, this includes free plant, The Ivy Journal, and three Newsletters.

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

or visit us on line our membership page
http://www.ivy.org 

Photos: ©2006 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'