The Introduction and Spread of Japanese Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) to the United States of America in the 19th Century

Abstract

Japanese Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), a native of East Asia, has now become one of the ornaments in Western Landscape. The objective of the study was to explain the early process of the introduction and spread of this plant to the United States of America, based on the articles of gardening or horticultural magazines published in the 19th century.
The results were as follows:
1) Japanese Ivy was introduced (in commerce) from Messrs.J.Veitch and Sons.(U. K.) to the United States of America by John Charlton (Rochester, New York) in 1868, and was brought into general cultivation in 1869.
2) It has been extensively planted in and around Boston since 1880s.
3) It has become characteristic of Boston city and suburban scenes, and receivd the nickname of Boston Ivy.
4) It has been also extensively used in and around New York since 1890s, for covering walls and protecting the sides of embankments and cuttings along railroads. 5) It was planted in the Middle West and the Pacific Coast by the end of the 19th century.