The Ivy Leaf

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 First couple taking promenade hold promenade clockwise round the set dropping left hands on bar 7 to half turn and finish man near the centre of the set facing up and lady at the top facing down.
Second couple, who continue facing after the bow and curtsy, dance a petronella turn, set as first couple dance between them, dance another petronella turn and then turn right hand ¾ round to finish with the man in the centre facing lady.
Third couple set facing, dance a petronella turn, set as first couple dance between them then turn half way round with right hand. (See figures for positions at bars 2,4 and 8.)
9-20 All dance a clover leaf reel:
 9-10 All pass partners right shoulder, men finish where their partner started, ladies dance on to face the man to their right. (see figure)
 11-12 All pass the person you are facing right shoulder, ladies to where that person was, men dance on to face partners.
 13-20 Repeat bars 9-12 twice to starting position.
 21-24 All set to partners and turn with both hands to original places.
25-28 First and second couples dance half rights and lefts.
29-32 First and third couples dance half rights and lefts.

Repeat from new positions.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Eddy West 2002)

Dance Notes

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

The Ivy Leaf - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Instruction Videos

Dance Information

This dance was originally published by the Auckland Region, New Zealand Branch RSCDS in the Ivy Thew Memorial Collection.

Suggested music: "The Silver Star" from Rob Gordon's Complete Caledonian Ball.

(Dance information by the deviser, Eddy West)

These species are part of the Araliaceae family and are native to regions spanning Western, Central, and Southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa, and parts of central and southern Asia as far as Japan and Taiwan.

One of the most notable features of ivy is its distinctive foliage. The leaves appear in two forms depending on the stage and position of the plant. Juvenile leaves are usually lobed and found on climbing or creeping stems, while adult leaves are unlobed and heart-shaped, typically growing on flowering stems exposed to sunlight. This difference in leaf shape is known as heterophylly. The plant's ability to cling to surfaces using aerial rootlets allows it to scale trees, cliffs, and buildings, but when growing horizontally, it forms a dense carpet of leaves that can dominate the ground layer.

Ivy plants flower in late autumn, producing small, greenish-yellow blooms that are rich in nectar and attract various pollinating insects. The flowers are followed by black berries that are consumed by birds, which help spread the seeds.

Among the various species, Hedera helix (English ivy) is the most widespread and frequently cultivated. It is commonly seen in gardens and urban landscapes, valued for its hardiness and evergreen foliage. However, it can become invasive in some areas, where it spreads aggressively and shades out native plants. Other important species include Hedera hibernica (Irish ivy), found along the Atlantic coast of Europe, and Hedera colchica (Persian ivy), which grows in western Asia and is known for its broad, leathery leaves.

Ivy grows in a range of conditions and tolerates both sunny and shaded environments, though it prefers moist, well-drained soil. The plant's dense foliage provides shelter for wildlife and contributes to soil stabilisation on slopes and embankments. Its longevity and tough, persistent leaves make it well suited for both decorative and ecological purposes.

Ivy Leaf

Image from Ronincmc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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