Hedera

"O Tėbai, lopšys Semelės, 
gebenėmis papuoški savo bokštus"  

 

Euripidas-„Bakchantės“ (405 m. pr. Kr.)

 

Gebenės (Hedera) priklauso aralijinių (Araliaceae) šeimai. Tai pačiai šeimai priklauso ir aralijos (Aralia), fatsijos (Fatsia), nėrūnės (Schefflera), stimbriai (Polyscias). Lietuvoje dažniausia auginamos paprastoji  (H. helix)  ir kaukazinė (H. colchica) gebenės  bei jų veislės.

Tai daugeliui gerai žinomas visžalis vijoklinis augalas tamsiai žaliais, triskiaučiais ar penkiaskiaučiais, odiškais, pražangiai išsidėsčiusiais lapais. Žydinčių šakų lapai neskiautėti. Apatinė lapų pusė šviesesnė. Jauni lapai plaukuoti, šviesesni už suaugusius. Tinkliškai gysloti. Pagrindinės gyslos jungia lapalakščio pagrindą ir skiaučių viršūnes. Žiemą lapija kartais įgauna rausvų atspalvių. Jauni augalai driekiasi pažeme, vėliau ima kopti medžių kamienais, sienomis ar kitais vertikaliais paviršiais, prisitvirtindami gausiomis orinėmis šaknelėmis. Žydi rudenį, rugsėjį-spalį, neišvaizdžiais į skėtiškus žiedynus susitelkusiais žiedais. Subrandina tamsias, beveik juodas, uogas. Dar nesubrendusias uogas lesa karveliai keršuliai (Columba palumbus).

Paplitimas: Savaiminis arealas driekiasi nuo šiaurinės Afrikos dalies pietuose, iki pietinių Norvegijos pakrančių šiaurėje, siekia vakarinę Azijos dalį. Britų salynas. Lietuvoje reta, įrašyta į Lietuvos Raudonąją knygą.

Vieta: Natūraliai auga lapuočių miškų paklotėje todėl pakenčia pavėsį ir gali augti tokiose vietose, kurių neištveria dauguma augalų. Sode gali būti auginama kaip kiliminis augalas, naudojamas vertikaliam apželdinimui ar kabantiems krepšiams apipavidalinti kaip svyrantis augalas. Margalapėms dekoratyvinėms formoms reikia daugiau šviesos. Tamsiose sodo ar patalpų vietose gali imti nykti lapų margumas ir tai aiškus ženklas, jog augalui reikia daugiau šviesos. Pakantumas užpavėsintoms vietoms – tik užuomina. Visada stenkitės savo augalus auginti pakankamai apšviestose vietos. Augalams tai yra gyvybiškai būtina.

Lietuvoje tai lyg ir pageidaujamas augalas sienų, tvorų ir kitokiam vertikaliam apželdinimui, bet susiduriama su sunkumais dėl mūsuose pasitaikančių atšiaurių žiemų, kuomet gebenės stipriai apšąla ar nušąla iki žemės paviršiaus besniegėmis žiemomis. Šiam tikslui reikėtų rinktis pietinės saulės apšviestas, nuo vėjų ir šalčio kišenių apsaugotas vietas. Yra tekę matyti gebene apželdintas sausas obelis, kurios, iš pažiūros, atrodė visai netinkamoje vietoje, bet ši liana vešėjo. Kartais verta tiesiog pabandyti. Jūsų sėkmė priklauso dar ir nuo jūsų sodinamo augalo kilmės, o aplinkos sąlygas tikrai sunku objektyviai įvertinti. Nepamirškite jog įvairios veislės paprastai būna lepesnės nei rūšiniai augalai. Pažeme besidriekiantys ir po sniegu žiemojantys augalai paprastai peržiemoja gerai.

 Hedera helix ‘Baltica’

Hedera helix ‘Białystok‘

Introduced by Dr. Stephen Marczyński, owner of the Clematis nursery in Pruszków, Poland, who has been investigating various plants for their winter hardness, drought tolerance and decorative use since the mid-1990s. This variety fit the criteria very well, and since 2012 this has been offered by the Clematis nursery in addition to many new Clematis breeds on the market. The plant was collected near Białystok, capital of the Podlaskie province, in Northeast Poland and named after the site. “Białystok” differs from other “normal” varieties primarily by better hardiness and the better resistance to rot. The strong growing, mainly 5-lobed ivy has 8-12 cm leathery leaves, which are dark green on the top. The underside is light green, the leaves have a bright veining on both sides. The leaf base is heart-shaped, the leaf tips are blunt. The plant can be used to cover walls, pergolas, trees and fences or as a ground cover in very cool and dry areas in shade or semi-shade. The annual increase is indicated by 1 meter, the height  up to 20 meters.

Hedera helix ‘Gold Child‘

is a variegated ivy variety, which is characterised by a bright yellow leaf border surrounding the green to gray-green leaf center. The yellow colour is clearly temperature and light dependent. It is well expressed at rather low temperatures and good sun exposure; however, is overshadowed by the degree of yellowing is falling back. The variety was introduced by Thomas Rochford, of Rochford in Hertfordshire. Ronald White House mentioned in his book “Which Ivy”, that the variety may also initially arose with the brothers Stauss in Germany and came from there to Rochford.
‘Gold Child’ was shown on 16 November 1971, the exhibition of the Royal Horticultural Society in England and won a prize. This variety is not very hardy even in the UK. In any case, this self-branching ivy is but a very attractive and good suiting for ivy hanging baskets and similar arrangements.
As a similar plant sometimes called ‘Golden Chicago’ in the trade. Further confusion about the naming of the Danish ivy trader froed Maegard added. A yellow variegated mutation of ‘Harald’ was often recorded in Europe under the name ‘Gold Child’, ie without a hyphen in a word, sold. This species is characterized by a greater hardiness than ‘Gold Child’ and could be used outdoors more succesfully.

Type: Pittsburgh type
Growth: Low, but well branched
Branches: green purple
Leaves: 3 lobed, 3-4 x 4-5 cm. The basal lobes are often only hinted at. The leaf shape is slightly heart-shaped, green, gray and completely surrounded by the the yellow.
Use: pot – and hanging plant.
Special features: ‘Gold Child’, an ivy the safe is a little tricky in culture and care. The ivy is sensitive to too little, but also too much water. So here is the famous “Green Thumb” asked. Peter Rose writes in his book “ivy” Ulmer – Publisher of this plant: “This cute looking species is possibly those exception that proves the rule.

Hedera helix ‘Ivalace’

Synonyms: Hedera helix ‘Green Gem’, Hedera helix ‘Laceveil’, Hedera helix ‘Lace Leaf’, Hedera helix ‘Wilson’ and Hedera helix ‘Little Gem’.
Winter hardness: X
Origin: Hedera helix ‘Ivalace’ originated in the USA from ‘California’  clone in 1939. A first brief description is given by Bess L. Shippy (1955). Growth: The growth, growing, but also inclination to self-bifurcation, slowly growing. Internodes 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Shoots: The young shoots, which are very numerous, stand up to a length of about 20 cm. Leaves: The medium sized, bright green leaves are 5 lobed and the ribbons are very finely crimped, which gives them the appearance of finely worked tip.
Use: Hedera helix ‘Ivalace’ is to be used both in the room and in protected places outdoors: in boxes, troughs, on the balcony and near the house, as well as on small areas. Perfectly suitable for topiari shapes.
The American Ivy Society has selected Hedera helix ‘Ivalace’ as the ivy of the year for 2011. Over the years, new ivies have come and gone, but some ivies simply can’t be improved. When you find that ivy, you just have to stick with it. Hedera helix ‘Ivalace’ is one of these ivies, you simply can’t improve.
A Curly ivy, in the Pierot Classification system. The leaves have five lobes, with a wavy margin, giving the leaf a cupped appearance. This ivy is self-branching, but light pruning will produces more branching. The Petioles are slightly longer than the leaves, and the new growth is held stiffly upright, but if left on it’s own, it will make long runners. The most unique feature of this ivy is it‘s shinny dark green leaves, which look like they have been varnished. Most English ivies have dull or matte leaves.
This versatile ivy does well as a houseplant, can be used as a ground cover in small areas, and trained in small topiaries. ‘Ivalace has been shown to be winter hardy up to at least zone 5 or -20 degrees (F). In the cool temperatures of winter the leaves will darken and the stems and petioles take on a dark reddish hue.
For successful out door planting, remember to plant deep, removing several of the lower leaves and planting to the new lowest leaves. Ivy will root along the new stem, helping it to become established.

Hedera helix ‘Brigitte‘

A presumably ‘California’ clone similar or identical variety called ‘Brigitte’ probably originated in the late 1970s in Denmark, they arrived in 1980 by the nursery Frode Maegard, Ringe, Denmark, to Ingobert Heieck in the Efeusammlung the nursery Neuburg Abbey to Heidelberg.

In 1986, the beautiful bronze-colored leaves of ‘Brigitte’ in an article in “The Ivy” of the English ivy society be mentioned. In the very same year, the American ivy society in “Ivy Journal” suggests that of ‘Brigitte’ No description exists and the species is regarded as a synonym of ‘California’. The AIS had received the ivy 1982 by Ingobert Heieck and listed with the acquisition number 82-153.

In England in 1992 displayed in the “Which Ivy” White House a black and white illustration of ‘Brigitte’, a significant difference to ‘California’ can not be made out there.
Rose also sees 1996 in his book “Ivies” the variety as a synonym of ‘California’ on, with him now appeared the notation ‘Brigette’ on. With this name, the ivy is also mentioned in 2004 by the RHS in England and also assigned to type ‘California’.

White House’s ‘Brigitte’ reached the US in 1993 for AIS and appeared in 2003 in Russell Windle’s Catalog “Hedera ETC” on, but as fasciation (fasciation). Windle mentioned the thickened stem, the 5-lobed leaves with raised veins and the ‘California’ typical wavy bulges between the tabs.
Laurence also C. Hatch describes the Pflanze2000 in his website “IVYfile”, here are the somewhat fan-shaped, up to 7-lobed leaves with the very diamond-shaped terminal lobe hingewiesen.Auf images from other sources is clearly seen a strong overlapping leaf base and grow further now and then from the middle leaf young shoots in the leaf center, this is also of ‘Astin’ known.

The Ivy received from the AIS, the acquisition number 94-011 and is in Pierot Classification System performed as Oddities (O), which means that the sheet has an unusual, not accurately defined leaf shape.
This form of the variety ‘Brigitte’, now often referred to as ‘Brigette’, reached the mid-2000s through the French National Collection of Herve Canals Europe and came back in 2005 in the English National Collection of nursery Fibrex.

The property of a fasciation would now distinguish ‘Brigitte’ of ‘California’, if it were not for the variety ‘Astin’ would, fasciation of the variety ‘Ideal’. The latter, in turn, is often viewed as a synonym of ‘California’ or suggests at least slightly in this.
This raises the question to what extent the fasciated variety ‘Brigitte’ and ‘Astin’ differ in both the parent variety is undoubtedly ‘California’.

This is not verifiable at the time when the circulating in our collections ‘Brigitte’ is no fasciation. Robert cancer, Stolk, received the 1993 Ivy from the collection of Ingobert Heieck, another plant of Fibrex (‘Brigette’) from 2009 did not develop the fasciated properties and looks similar Heiecks variety confusingly. Both ivy have no striking differences to ‘California’.

The traded today in Europe varieties called ‘Brigitte’ are mostly plants of large nurseries and seedlings and plants are similar in habit as much as possible of the variety ‘California’. The “wholesale variety ” Brigitte ‘was registered on 29 February 1988 in the Netherlands by Vaste Keurings Commissie in Aalsmeer. The plant shown here is identical to those of Hedera Plant BV, De Kwakel (2006 Netherlands), Caparis Hederaculturen Drachten -. Opeinde (2006 Netherlands), Beekenkamp Plants BV, Maasdijk (2010 Netherlands), Fleurizon, Camarillo, CA (2010 USA) , Isar flower, Freising (Germany 2010), Savanna Plants, Naivasha (2010, Kenya) and Plant Estate BV, Wijk en Aalburg, (2010 Netherlands).

In summary, it should be noted that the variety present in our collections ‘Brigitte’ has little difference to ‘California’ and probably seems to be called ‘Brigitte’ identical with the plants located in the wholesale.
The verbänderte form of ‘Brigitte’ (or ‘Brigette’) is not available commercially and is not in our collections available. But this would be to be examined more closely it worth to determine whether there are clear differences between the variety ‘Astin’.

Hedera helix ‘Mona Lisa‘

In 1980, such a type of the Gebr. Stauß to Neuburg Abbey, but there had been read from the varieties Hedera helix ‘Eva’ / Hedera helix ‘Ingrid’ the same type several years ago. Also in 1980 came from Denmark under the name Hedera helix ‘Mona Lisa’ is a plant similar to that met in the sheet form rather the variety Hedera helix ‘Star’. The variety Hedera helix ‘Mona Lisa’  is likely to be a selection originated from Denmark, because all Danish ivy varieties  bear a feminine names;

Origin: probably from the variety Hedera helix ‘Star’
Breed: Pittsburg
Hardiness: X – XX
Growth: Strong to moderate, variable in vigor, leaf size and branching character in itself.
Drives: internodes 3-4 cm.
Leaves: A typical Star-Journal, which, however, differs by its Buntlaubigkeit. The middle surface of the leaf is green-gray, with irregular tender rahmweißer Randpanaschierung.

Hedera helix ‘Goldheart‘

Goldheart‘, an extraordinary ivy of mysterious origin. In the mid-1950s he appeared almost simultaneously under three names: ‘Goldherz’, ‘0ro del Bogliasco’ and ‘Jubilee’. The name ‘Jubilee’ is useless for this variety, since this name was used by Hesse in Weener, Ems, 1907 for another variegated, white-rimmed variety. First, this ivy appears around 1950 in Italian plant catalogs as ‘Oro del Bogliasco’. An early description can be found in the catalog of Baldacci and sons in Pistoia, Italy from 1963. “Oro del Bogliasco” – leaf size like Hedera helix, color a deep yellow with a green strip in the middle. The plant, which had been run by van de Laar as ‘Goldherz’ in 1965, was named ‘Goldheart’ by Nannenga-Bremekamp (1970) and Bean (1973) Described. In Baldacci’s catalog description, the leaf colors are strangely interchanged, in reality the yellow swab is, of course, surrounded by green. Despite the priority of the Italian name, it is advisable to keep the name ‘Goldheart’ because of the ambiguity of the catalog description and the exact descriptions of Nannenga-Bremekamp and Bean. Although van de Laar introduced the plant as ‘Goldherz’ in 1965, there is no description at this time of this name.

The growth is creeping. The shoots are red-pink, with increasing age going into the brown. The internodes are 2 to 3 cm. The leaves are 3 lobed and 4 to 6 by 4 to 6 cm. The middle lobes are the longest and finely pointed, side flaps bluntly pointed. Sometimes basal lobes are indicated. The blade base is trimmed. The leaf color is dark green, irregularly spotted and almost always yellow in the leaf center. The veins are not sublime.

The winter hardness is XX-XXX.

Hedera helix ‘Erecta’

A small, evergreen shrub with original design. Reaches up to 1 m in height. Stems thick, straight, short internodes, densely covered with spiky, leathery, dark green leaves. In spite of the formation of adventitious roots – hardly climbs. Leaves almost without flaps, arranged so regularly that give the plant an exotic look, resembling of desert plants. Requirements as other ivy, does not like the soil dry and acidic. Position protected, half-shaded, moist. It can freeze in cold and snowless winter.

Tobler (1912) recorded this species without designation by quoting the Haage & Schmidt catalog of 1875. Bean (1973) describes it as “a dwarf, very slowly growing form with numerous small leaves, which are strongly curled and wavy. The shoots are strong and lying down when young they are slightly flattened “. He concludes with those descriptions, which for the first time brought this variety into the discussion around 1870, but did not surrender where it came into being and who discovered it. In any case, it has retained its peculiarity, does not seem to beat back, and has not formed a well-formed form. It remains the bush-shaped ivy for the Steingarten and can be highly recommended for these purposes. Hedera helix ‘Erecta’ is also suitable for low walls, which she slowly, but thicker, thicker with her thick, wavy leaves. Growth: Creeping and climbing with very short internodes. Shoots: Small leaf distances, often slightly flattened, green. Internodes 0.5-1cm. Leaf stalks: Light green leaves: Uncut to indistinct 3 lobed. 1-3 times 3-4 cm. Walls rippled. Double row arranged. Leafy leathery, dark green. Leaf veins, which gives the leaves a bubble-like appearance.

The winter hardness of the ivy

by  Ingobert Heieck (translated)

General introduction

The  winter hardness of such evergreen plant as the ivy represents is not easy to explain. It is possible to understand only when taking into account all the factors which lead to the damage or even the death of a plant in the winter. First of all, a distinction must be made between frost drought or wintering and the freezing or  direct cold  damage to the plant tissues. The first point, the wintering, is dependent on the location (sun and shadow position, for example), the age of the plant and its hardening, and finally the weather and temperature of the winter.

The actual inheritable hardness of the plant is superimposed on these conditions and their effects. The first step is to show how the individual varieties can be attributed to their real hereditary hardness. There are two ways: testing the varieties in plantings under the same conditions. Classification of the varieties in breeds, which also inherently have the same hardness. The second point I would like to shed some light on. It is my own idea to go this way, and my grading of grades into degrees of hardness is based on it.

Winter hardiness of  different ivy varieties

The geographical clones

The genus Hedera is limited in its natural occurrence to Europe and Asia. In the Cretaceous period this species was also found in North America and in the Eocene even in Greenland and Alaska. The present area of this genus is therefore a decided relictareal. The area stretches eastwards from the mountains of India to China, Korea and Japan, westward to the Caucasus, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean region, where several forms develop and from here penetrates north to Scandinavia.

Tobler (1912) divides the genus of this species into eight species. The division of the genus Hedera into species gives the systematics some difficulty, which is why they are always changed. In any case, we have only to do with Hedera helix, the Hedera hibernica, and the Hedera colchica, which are closely related and are the most suitable wild varieties. Theree are also other species as Hedera algeriensis, Hedera canariensis, Hedera azorica, Hedera cypria, Hedera maderensis, Hedera nepalensis, Hedera rhombea, and Hedera pastuchovii .

Hedera helix

The natural area of Hedera helix, which represents absolutely the majority of our ivy varieties, covers the  Central Europe and Asia Minor. It is understandable that in this large area with different climates, even races with different winter hardness could form. Just remember, the ivy in the Alps can still be found up to a height of 1200 m! An example of a very hardy geographic variety is the Baltic Ivy. I do not use the term “clone” here, since it is only a species, which could also produce the same hard varieties, thus becoming a clone. Rehder found this ivy near Riga, Latvia (1907). It also occurs on the west coast of the country and on the island of Osel. This is also the northern boundary of Hedera helix. There are several types under the name ‘Baltica’ under the name ‘Baltica’ and it is questionable which of them is the right ‘Baltica’. As a cultivated variety in the mild climate of the vineyards and adapted to this climate, ‘Wingertsberg’, which we found here in Heidelberg, can be considered. The name Hedera helix Typica-Ivy is used for this group in the varieties list. The

Hedera hibernica (Kirchner)

Atlantic Ivy or H. hibernica grows along the Atlantic coast, from Scotland, Ireland to England to Spain. Usually this ivy is still listed as a variety of Hedera helix, but it is essentially different from this, especially also because it is tetraploid (2n = 96). The Hedera hibernica is very common in horticulture. Has only to apply as a variety of this complex. It must be named Hedera hibernica ‘Hibernica’ according to the nomenclature rules.

Hedera colchica

This is a distinct species, the only one besides Hedera helix, which is suitable for our climates. Its natural distribution area extends from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, Caucasus, Syria and Cyprus. This species has produced only a few varieties (like all other species, except Hedera helix), which can all be used well outdoors  having a sufficient hardness.

New Hedera helix clones

New clones have emerged also in the greenhouse culture, in the 20th century, which also deviate from the ordinary Hedera helix in their winter hardness. Through Alfred Bates, we are informed about the origins of these breeds, in “The Illusive Ivy,” Horticultural Magazine, 1940 and 1941. There is complete equilibrium of winter hardness within each breed.

The “Pittsburgh” clone

It appeared between 1915 and 1920 in the USA , probably  originated in the greenhouse culture. Unfortunately, it has not been determined from which variety this ivy has developed, whether it has been a mutation or crossbreeding. Shortly before 1927 this ivy was introduced under the name ‘Pittsburgh’ by Mr. P. S. Randolph, Verona, PA, USA. The name comes from the horticulture of Louis Hahn and his son in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Shortly after the war, the variety came to Holland and from there, 1950 to Germany. Most of our indoor ivies belong to the Pittsburgh clone . All have the same growth character, a branching branch, described by Lawrence and Schulze (1942) as a so-called ‘Ramosakomplex’, and a somewhat lower winter hardness than than other clones.

The “Maple Queen” clone

In my book “Hedera Sorten” (1980), I portrayed the development of the Pittsburgh breed in the form of a pedigree and I have thus come to the conclusion that the entire complex consists of at least two breeds, the origin of which is ‘Maple Queen’ and’ California ‘. The ‘Maple Queen’ variety was also developed by L. Hahn in Pittsburgh, PA., USA. Unfortunately the date of the creation is unknown. On 15.10.1940 it was patented, which must have taken place approximately 2 to 3 years before this date. This clone has a slightly better winter hardness compared to the ‘Pittsburgh’ clone and is thus also better suited for the outdoor plantings. Important varieties of this breed are: ‘Green Ripple’, ‘Shamrock’, ‘Wichtelt,’ Boskoop ‘,’ Glacier ‘,’ Paperdoll ‘.

The ‘California’ clone

The ‘California’ variety was developed by the company Weber in Los Angeles, CA. USA and was introduced in 1939 to the trade. Supposedly the origin is’ Merion Beauty ‘, which according to my research however originated again from the Pittsburgh’ . In fact, it does not seem to deviate much from the ‘Pittsburgh’ clone in winter hardness. The main varieties of this breed are: ‘California Fan’, ‘Ivalace’, ‘Stuttgart’, ‘Telecurl’, ‘Pixie’, ‘Cockle Shell’, ‘California Gold’. Influencing and dependence of winter hardness on various factors.

The anthocyanin and the influence of light

The botanist F. Tobler investigated the ratios of anthocyanin formation in Hedera in 1912 and found that there are clones which are more prone to anthocyanin formation than others and that this is a hereditary trait. The formation of anthocyanins is also related to the provenance. The varieties bearing this property have also penetrated most to the north, and are best able to withstand low temperatures. The leaves of anthocyanin-forming breeds turn red-brown at low temperatures, but are pure green in summer, at higher temperatures. An important factor which, in my opinion, is underestimated is the fact that the influence of light or the solar radiation in the summer has a positive influence on the frost hardening. Significantly, ivy, which is exposed more intensively during the summer, forms more anthocyanin in the winter. The sunny location and sunshine in the summer, thus increasing the hardness of the ivy in winter, because under these circumstances a plenty of   anthocyanins are produced.

The ivy location

If the ivy grows in a  place that is very shady in summer, but sunny in winter in, e.g. under a dense, deciduous tree, damage can occur. A place which is in the shade during the summer can be illuminated in the winter by the sun. Damage resulting from this occurs naturally only in correspondingly severe winters, in the case of coldness, and when sunshine prevails at this time. The winter sun, however  is, as is well known, harmful to all evergreen trees and to the ivy as well.

The planting time and acclimatization

If the ivy is planted in the autumn followed  by a severe winter with many days of freezing temperatures  and  sunshine, even the sufficiently hardy varieties could be damaged or even killed. The plants did not yet have the opportunity to root, and have hardly come out of the pot. For a very long sustained frost period, e.g. In 1985/86, when it was frozen from Christmas to the end of March, early April, the hardest species may be dried up until spring, if it can not absorb water from frost-free zones with its roots. Planting in spring, from the end of April, is often better. During this time care must be taken that the plants do not come directly from the greenhouse, otherwise the shoots may freeze during late frosts. Also the plants get a shock, and only grow again after weeks. Whether and how strongly an ivy is damaged depends also on how long he has already settled his location.

The soil

The Ivy growing on heavy soils (accumulating dampness)  could develop a damage which can be mistaken for the cold damage, and the different varieties react differently. A fast-growing, large-leaved variety, e.g. ‘Hibernica’, with lower winter hardness, are more resistant to the dump conditions than small-leaved, slow growing species (e.g., ‘minima’) with greater winter hardness.

The weather extremes

If after a mild late autumn suddenly a stronger early frost occurs, it will end up in more or less great damage. The less  the species is adapted to our climatere the larger is the damage . Of particular interest is the negative reaction of the species other tthan Hedera helix, and  are usually not are usable to grow outdoors , e.g. Hedera rhombea from Japan and Korea or  Hedera nepalensis from the Himalayas and Nepal.

Observation and recording of the winter hardness

In comparative plantings and their bonitisation with regard to the hardness of the winter, the individual varieties are always differently classified, which is not surprising. It is clear from my discussion above that the specific winter hardness of a variety can be superimposed by many factors, and thus it is also clear where this difference comes from. But is not the specific winter hardiness important to us? The gardener becomes more and more confused and the individual varieties will always give him new riddles. If one does not take into account the above-mentioned factors which superimpose the winter hardness of a species, it would be quite incomprehensible why the “Green Ripple” shows slight damage in one and the same planting plant, whereas ‘Maple Queen’ was severely damaged.
‘Green Ripple’ comes directly from ‘Maple Queen’, has only undergone a slight change in leaf shape. The degree of winter hardness must therefore be absolutely the same for both varieties.
As another example, this time from the group of Atlantic Ivy, ‘deltoidea’ can serve. Even in ignorance, which belongs to Hedera hibernica, I rated it in the ivy book by P. Q. Rose (Ulmer Verlag) as “best winter hardness” or  XXX . Only then was their ancestry known to me. I also heard again and again, mostly of cemetery gardeners, that the ‘Deltoidea’ had failed in severe winters. Now, according to the recognition of their true affiliation, this was easy to understand, and the variety ‘Deltoidea’ is now  rated as  XX. However, there are indications of the good winter hardness of the ‘Deltoidea’. Also in Auweiler-Friesdorf it was called “Gut”. A gardener from the Bavarian Forest informed me how well his ‘deltoidea’ had survived severe winter. Inquiries showed that he cultivated them in the summer in full sun and also kept relatively dry. In the winter, they were completely red and therefore very hard (see: Anthocyan …) The varieties ‘deltoidea’ and ‘aracena’ from the group of the Atlantic ivy seem to be particularly influenceable within their group in the hardening by sun in summer. Therefore, they could be rated XX to XXX. However, this is true only in the case of a sunny spot in the summer, and it would be more consistent to rate  XX. They are still Hibernica varieties. It is different with the variegated varieties. Here, the specific winter hardness of the respective breed has to be taken to the extent of the chlorophyll deficiency. There are, however, colorful varieties which, at least in wine-growing climate, come very well through many winters, in harsh regions one should be careful with it. It is certainly desirable to assign each species its specific degree of winter hardness. This article will contribute to this. My ratings of the particular degree of winter hardness of a clone, which are explained below, appear to me to be clearer, more memorable, and more readily comprehensible than a description with words.

Winter hardness ratings explained 

0 = Insufficient hardness. Only suitable to grow indoor.
X = moderate hardness. Can still be used in viticulture type climate.
XX = good hardness. The variety should not be planted in Germany’s harshest climates.
XXX = very good hardness. The variety can also be planted in Germany’s harshest climates.
XXX * = very good winter hardness with special distinction.

Species hardiness:
Hedera helix = Common  Ivy               XXX
Hedera hibernica = Atlantic Ivy          XX
Hedera colchica = Caucasian  Ivy       XX
Specific clones of Hedera helix hardiness:
‘Pittsburgh’ clone                                    X-XX
‘Maple Queen’ clone                               XX
‘California’ clone                                     XX