Introducing "Ivy of the Year" 2008
Hedera helix 'Gold Child'
'Gold Child' SELECTED AS
"IVY OF THE YEAR" 2008
The American Ivy Society has selected Hedera helix ‘Gold Child’ as the ivy of the year for 2008.
This beautiful gold variegated ivy, has proven to be a very useful ivy, whether in the home or in the garden. Hedera helix ‘Gold Child’ was first introduced in 1971 by Thomas Rochford from the House of Rochford, England, and received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Merit. This ivy first appeared in the US in the early 1980’s where it quickly became popular with the commercial growers.
‘Gold Child’s’ leaves have three to five lobes with rounded tips. The variegation is a bright gold margin with a green to green gray center. The brightness of the variegation is temperature dependent. In cooler temperatures the color is a very intense gold but in warmer weather the color can fade to butter yellow. The color is also not as intense if grown in the shade but the variegation is still prominent.
You may find an ivy with the name Hedera helix ‘Gold Baby’, in stores but don’t let the name fool you. We have grown this ivy side by side with ‘Gold Child’ and have found no difference. Since the name ‘Gold Child’ is the older name, they should be considered the same plant.
This ivy makes a great houseplant where it makes long runners. It has also proven to be a great out door ivy where it has been successfully grown in hardiness zone 5 and 6, -10 to -20 degrees (F.) for over 20 years. Variegated ivies tend to show more winter damage so care should be used to plant them in colder climates in a more protected spot. When leaves are damaged in winter they are quickly shed when the new growth starts in the spring.
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’, 2006 ‘Anita’, and 2007 ‘Shamrock’.
When planting outdoors, remember to plant ivies deep, removing several of the lower leaves, and planting to the new lowest leaves. Ivies will root along this new stem allowing the ivy to better establish into the new planting. When possible, especially with variegated ivies, plant them were 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
Photo: ©2008 Rachel Cobb
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