On a recently trip to the Ohio State University Horticultural Gardens in Columbus, I discovered ‘Lady Frances’, a relatively tame miniature ivy. The American Ivy Society classifies Hedera helix ‘Lady Frances’ as non-invasive, and it received the first “Ivy of the Year” award in 2001. It grows slowly and works as a ground cover or  topiary in a garden bed or in a container as a “spiller”. Lady Frances also performs well indoors, growing near a well lighted window.

 This ivy features small 1- inch long and wide green and white variegated leaves which should brighten up any garden spot. Lady Frances is winter hardy in central Ohio (USDA hardiness zone 5). Morning sunlight and afternoon shade are generally the rule in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7) and in all-day moderate shade further south. ‘Lady Frances’ possesses good heat and drought tolerances once established in the garden for one year. It exhibits good disease and insect resistances and deer generally leave ivy alone.

Never invite any ivy species (Hedera or Parthenocissus spp.) into your garden without a back-up plan for pruning it. Let it ramble as far as you want and clip it back. Keep most ivy cultivars from climbing into trees.

‘Lady Frances’ was discovered by Mo Halawi at Weidners’ Gardens in Encinitas, CA and was named to honor Frances Rynearson, American Ivy member from San Diego, CA.