In article ,
Mike Lyle wrote:
Nick Maclaren wrote:
[...]
There are many different varieties of H. helix, and almost all are
dead easy to grow. When they get too big, you prune them back as
hard as you like. Just avoid a 'bush' variety.

At the height of my ivy craze, I took cuttings from the arborescent
phase of a few I liked the look of, assuming bush forms would result.
I believe that's the standard practice. I kept only one of them, and
it behaved courteously for about five years (I think, but don't make
me affirm), and then sent out climbing shoots. Does this always
happen in the end?

A very good question. My understanding is that it often happens,
but not always - however, that is based entirely on what I recollect
of what I have read!

I have tried to find out what is known about the mechanisms by which
ivy converts phase, and failed dismally. It is possible that recent
research has got somewhere, and I should be interested to hear from
anyone who knows more than I do. Otherwise, I shall continue to
assume that it is still a mystery.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.