12.02.2008

The Holly And The Ivy

I brought my Ivy in after fall was quickly sliding toward freezing temperatures.  He is now sitting on the window sill above my kitchen sink.  Part of me is tempted to twist a hanger into an upward spiral, and grow Mr. Ives that way.  The other half of me wishes to just let him grow any which way, because that is what I would prefer God did with me sometimes.  But He usually has better things in mind.   Have any of you tried to grow your Ivy plants into a pattern of sorts?  What is the best way to go about it? 

 I should get a holly plant and name him Currier.  

And now, since it is December, here are the words to one of my favorite Christmas Carol.  It is an English Carol from the fifteenth-century and apropos on a blog about plants and gardening.    

The Holly And The Ivy

THe Holly and the Ivy, 
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees are in the wood, 
the Holly bears the crown.

The Holly bears a blossom
As white as any flower;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour.

The Holly bears a berry
As red as any blood;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ 
To do poor sinners good.

The Holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas in the morn. 

The Holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all. 

The Holly and the Ivy
Now both are full well grown:
Of all the trees are in the wood
The Holly bears the crown.  

6 comments:

Ro Ro Riot said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ro Ro Riot said...

I LOVE Christmas. Also, your holly and ivy are apparently full frown. Which I also think is wonderful. I'm going to call you soon. Keep an ear out for the phone the next few days. And I'm going to have a story for you to look at if you have time. Yeah?

Rob said...

I think by the sounds of it you have a good excuse to buy another plant there - another Ivy, one to train and one to let run wild! Its easy enough to train, as you say you just need a support and then let it climb the support, giving it a hand if need be then when it reaches the limit keep it trimmed in to shape.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Goes well that carol with the snow outside. Try putting a wire in the shape you want into the plant pot and twist the ivy round. Ivy is always quite amenable to suggestions I find.

Liz said...

What a lovely post Red Clover. You've captured what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. My youngest daughter asked me the other day if Jesus would like a birthday present. I just loved her question. I love what you named your new plant as well> I love ivy in a pot. Bon and Pat have given some great suggestions there.

Take care and keep warm
Liz

LHall said...

This makes me excited for our Sunday Night caroling.