Topiaries are all the rage in the gardening world. Not only do they make great outdoor plants, many can be brought indoors in fall and enjoyed in winter under the proper lighting conditions. Each year the American Ivy Society crowns an “ivy of the year,” and this year the honor goes to ‘Misty’ (Hedera helix 'Misty'), a standard ivy variety used commercially in topiaries.

‘Misty’ is easy to grow, hardy, lush, and not invasive. ‘Misty’ is also beautiful, with variegated, bird’s foot-shaped, miniature leaves. The leaf variegation remains intact even under shady conditions. In cool weather the white leaf margins turn a faint pink. ‘Misty’ is also winter hardy to USDA zone 5, making it a great choice for outdoor topiaries in most regions of the country.

For more information on ‘Misty’, go to the American Ivy Society.