Urban Gardener 50

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50thIssue Vol. 5 No. 11 ISSN 2094-1765 November 2012

THE CHRISTMAS IVYBy Norby Bautista

Christmas is fast approaching,and one of the plants closelyassociated with this specialseason is the Christmas Ivy.The Christmas or English Ivy

is a popular Christmas plant.The plant belongs to a largegroup of lianas or woodycreeping orclimbing ornamental plants.Scientifically known as Hederahelix, it belongs to theAraliaceae plant family, whichalso includes the famousginseng. It is a species nativeto most of Europe, north Africaand western Asia. It ispopularly used as anornamental plant, especiallyas a wall climber, used inhanging baskets and also as ascreen or living curtain tohide unsightly areas andstructures. Decorative ivy,usually with variegatedleaves, are not typically

purchased with the berries in tact. Christmas Ivy is used as a hanging plant andused as a Christmas decoration and as wreaths.

Whats special about this plant is that it is an excellent creeper, the Ivyremains lush and green even during the coldest months of December, especially

in temperate countries. It can also cling to some of the smoothest of surfaceswith ease. Ivy usually flower in late autumn and small blackberries are producedin late winter. In natural settings the berries are an important source of food forwinter animals but are incredibly poisonous for people. The English Ivy is anevergreen climbing plant, growing to 2030 m high where suitable surfaces liketrees, cliffs and walls are available. They also grow as a ground cover wherethere are no vertical surfaces. It climbs by means of aerial rootlets with matted


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pads which cling strongly to the substrate. Ecologically, it is labeled as aninvasive weed species in a number of areas where it has been introduced.

Hedera helix with red venation Hedera helix with open flowers

The leaves are alternate, about 50100 mm long, with a 1520 mmpetiole; they are of two types, with palmately five-lobed juvenile leaves oncreeping and climbing stems, and unlobed cordate adult leaves on fertileflowering stems exposed to full sun, usually high in the crowns of trees or the topof rock faces.

The flowers are produced from late summer until late autumn, individuallysmall, in 35 cm diameter umbels, greenish-yellow, and very rich in nectar, an

important late autumn food source for bees and other insects.

The fruit are purple-black to orange-yellow berries 68 mm diameter,ripening in late winter, and are an important food for many birds, thoughsomewhat poisonous to humans.

There are one to five seeds in each berry, which are dispersed by birdseating the berries. Over 30 cultivars have been selected for horticultural use asyellow and white flowers, variegated leaves (e.g. 'Glacier'), and/or deeply lobedleaves (e.g. 'Sagittifolia'), purple stems, and slow, dwarfed growth.

The plant is easy to grow. It may either be started from seeds or stemcuttings. The plant thrives in shade to semi-shaded areas. It is widely cultivatedas an ornamental plant. It is often grown as a hanging plant or a companionplant in potted medium sized woody plants. Horticulturally, the plant needsconstant pruning as it is fast growing and may usually grows wild. It grows wellin a fertile garden soil mix, planted in a 6-10 inch hanging pot. It requires regularwatering and minimal fertilization for optimum growth. Ecologically, the speciesis greatly valued for attracting wildlife in its native habitat. The flowers are visited


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by over 70 species of nectar-feeding insects, and the berries eaten by at least 16species of birds. The foliage provides dense evergreen shelter, and is alsobrowsed by deer.

Unfortunately, the species can become a nuisance in gardens, rapidly

colonising hedges, trees and borders if not kept in check. It can even invadeneglected lawns.

Ivy's symbolic meanings are various. Its symbolism is based on the factthat it is an evergreen plant, it clings and it grows in the shade. The ivy has apeculiar connection with foretelling the future, especially for young women whowants to know who their future husband would be. This theme of the eternalbeauty of evergreen plants reaching beyond seasons to another time isconsistent through many different superstitions and beliefs. The way that ivyflourishes in the shade connected the plant to notions of secrecy, debaucheryand hidden desires. The clinging look of ivy signifies the faithfulness and

connection of close friendships and love relationships. Also, pagan winterfestivals used ivy to ward off evil spirits.

ASIAN GARDEN DESIGNS TO BE FEATURED IN THE

UPCOMING LOS BANOS MIDYEAR FLOWER AND

GARDEN SHOW AT UPLB.

An Asian or Orientalgarden design is usuallysimple, and each area elicita harmonious flow withinthe garden. Larger areasare usually broken intosmaller designs with apiece of dcor or sculpture,alongside with a single orgroup of plants to accentthe spot. A simple windingpathway is used to connectthese different pocketgardens as a whole. This

garden design usuallytakes into consideration all the elemental factors of wood, fire, earth, water andmetal, plus the principles of Feng Shui.

The element of wood is usually represented by plants, especially trees. A softwinding pathway is usually incorporated into the design, which leads from onearea to the next. Simplicity is encouraged.


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On the otherhand, the symble of fire is represented by the color red. Bridges,sculptures, arks and dcors painted in red are considered a lucky feature andyou can used in the garden.

A Japanese Koi Pond Garden with Bonsai and Waterfall

The element of Earth is represented by sand and stones in the garden, which aregreat ways to fill vacant spaces, and they do not need maintenance like growingplants. Since the sand needs to be raked clean or in patterns, they can also besubstituted gravel or larger stones if you have pets or children.

The element of water is accomplished by adding a water feature, either a smallpond, fountain or even a bird bath. With these, the terrain is usually rolling andwith elevations, instead of the usual flat topography in order for water to collect inlow lying areas. Using rocks, gravel and sand in an area can also create anillusion of a water feature in one area, and they should be made orderly and neatin design.

Lastly, the element of metal can be added by hanging wind chimes or bells inyour landscape, which will also add a delightful tinkling sound to calm the soul.The Asian design should use few simple plants, with a gentle, soothing feel,instead of a random tangled sorts of plants. Eastern garden designs shows theessence of carefully controlling most elements. That control is evident in everypart of the garden where randomness and confusion is not allowed. Each andevery area, no matter how small, is treated as a piece of art. Materials like


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bonsai trees, and naturally sculptured stones are some of the accessoriesusually found in these gardens which creates that well-tended Asian feel.

A Korean Garden

With this, the Los Banos Horticultural Society will be having its Midyear Flowerand Garden show starting this October 5 to 14, 2012 at the Senior Social Gardenat the University of the Philippines at Los Banos campus, Laguna . This showstheme is Asian Gardens, wherein the organizers will be featuring various Asiangarden designs from different countries in the Asia-Pacific. The Philippine boothwill be arranged by Myrna Orticio; Korea by Gintong Talulut; Japan by Exotica;Thailand by Varunee; Singapore by Rain Forest Garden; China by Mr. Vic Chin;Bali, Indonesia by Amy Partameno; Vietnam by Tony Pajaro; Indonesia byFlower Box; Malaysia by Earth Keepers; and Burma by Marlon Bautista.

According to Ms Marina Catipon, President of the Los Banos Horticulture Societyand Chairperson of the show, the featured plants will be bamboos and floweringplants. In the last five years, the use of bamboo for landscaping has become

very popular. Bamboo will be an important element of the Asian gardens. Totop your knowledge on bamboo, Dr. Celso Lantican of the College of Forestry,UPLB will talk on Bamboos on Saturday, Oct. 6th at 2 pm. The followingSaturday at 2 in the afternoon, Vic Chin, Vice President of the Society, will talk onculture of flowering plants.

The guest of honor during the opening will be Josephine Calma-Lazaro, apioneer member of the horticultural society of Los Banos. The center exhibit will


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be arranged by Jojo Lazaro. The display will be a tribute to a former activemember of the plant societies in the Philippines, Mr. CV Lazaro. It is also at theshow where the floriferous Tabernamontana CV Lazaro will be launched.

TabernamontanaCV Lazaro is related to the native pandacaque but has white

multi-petalled flowers with frills on the margin. It has a sweet scent in themorning and blooms throughout the year. It is an excellent flowering shrub forlandscaping with its ever-blooming characteristic and glossy deep green leaves.The Los Banos Horticulture Society is proud to name this selection CV Lazarowho was an active officer of the society and a well-known horticulturist.

The Tropical Christmas Tree

The Calamondin orange is apopular ornamental citrusespecially during theChristmas season. This isnt asurprise as the plantresembles a Christmas treeladen with round orangefruits, which measurieone andone-fourth in diameter.Scientifically known as the

Citrofortunella mitis, it istechnically a hybrid of themandarin orange andkumquat. It is also commonlycalled the Musk lime and

Panama orange.

Like all citrus, it belongs to the family Rutaceae. The plant is native to China andis one of the cold-hardiest citrus. It has to grow in cold temperatures for the fruitsto ripen develop a bright orange hue.

The plant, usually potted and laden with fruits, is often used to adorn home andoffice interiors during the first quarter of the year. It is a symbol of prosperity andgood fortune and a prominent item during Chinese New Year celebrations.

Aside from its fruits, the plant blooms with fragrant delicate white flowers thatgrow in clusters. The fruits are formed from the flowers.

The plant can grow up to about four feet in height when potted. However, whenplanted on the ground, it can reach up to six to 25 feet in height. The branchescan be slightly thorny in some places and it has an extremely deep taproot.


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It grows well in full sun or partially shaded areas but its best to expose the plantto direct sunlight for four hours daily. In general, citrus plants grow healthierwhen placed outdoors under bright light during summer.

Provide actively growing plants with high potash fertilizers for continuousflowering and fruiting. For small plants, you may use five to six inch pots, but forlarger plants, use a 10-inch or bigger pot. Sandy-loam type soils, usually amixture of garden soil, sand and leaf compost is recommended. Move the plantsinto containers one size larger every year as it grows. Afterwards, yearlytopdressing of fresh potting mixture will suffice.

The plant can be propagated by using three to six inch long stem cuttings frommatured plants, dipped in a rooting hormone powder and planted in a pot withmoist potting mixture. The whole pot with stem cuttings are then enclosed in aclear plastic bag for humidity and kept at room temperature. Water occasionallyto prevent drying until it has rooted, usually after six to eight weeks. You maythen remove the plastic cover and move the plant to a much brighter area. It is


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The Urban Gardener is an official electronic publication (in PDF Format) of the Plant

Biotechnology Project, Research & Development Center, Rizal Technological University, Boni

Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It is published monthly. For more information, please

inquire thru email: [email protected] or [email protected] and landline(+632) 534-8267 Local 135 or Fax (+632) 534-9710.

Edited by N.R. Bautista November 2012The Plant Biotechnology Project Committee is composed of:Alexander B. Quilang, Norberto R. Bautista, & Jovita A. Anit.

also easy to grow the plants from seeds, but it will take them longer, about sevento 10 years before they fruit.

Provide plants with sufficienthumidity by regularly watering

and wetting the surrounding area.Low humidity usually attracts redspider mites, scale insects andwhite flies because of the sweethoneydew secreted by the plants.Use a commercial insecticide

spray to control insects if severeinfestation occurs.

Calamondin oranges can becultivated as an ornamental plant.

Its creamy-green foliage andedible fruit always look attractivein landscape settings. The fruitsat times taste sour and areprimarily used for cooking. The

juice can be used as a limesubstitute. Similar to ourcalamansi, the juice from the fruitcan be used against itchingcaused by insect bites. The juice

can also sterilize hands when water and soap is not available and used as a

deodorant.

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