Plant of the month for February
The somewhat controversial and misunderstood ivy (Hedera helix) is my plant of the month for February. It’s disliked by many and can be a bit of a menace where it’s not wanted, but in the right circumstances and with correct management it can be a really useful asset.
Benefits to wildlife
Ivy is absolutely fantastic for wildlife, in fact it’s one of the most beneficial native plants for wildlife in the UK! Flowers bloom in Autumn and offer a vital source of food to pollinators, especially the ‘ivy bee’ which relies on their nectar as its main diet. The flowers are then followed by berries in Winter which are currently being feasted on by a variety of garden birds including wood pigeons, thrushes and blackbirds. Ivy doesn’t just offer sustenance to wildlife, It also provides the ideal habitat and shelter for invertebrates, birds, and small mammals including bats!
Does ivy kill trees?
There’s a bit of a myth that the vines of ivy can strangle the trunks and branches of trees, but this isn’t true. Ivy self-clings to trees for support and doesn’t cause any damage to healthy, established trees. The real problem is the weight of ivy, along with it potentially outcompeting for resources like sunlight, but this is only problematic for newly planted and/or young trees.
Isn’t ivy a weed?
Ivy can easily take over areas within the garden, it can smother small plants and outcompete them for vital resources. To make matters worse it’s a lot of hard work to remove. But that’s not to say it doesn’t have its place in gardens, providing it’s within an appropriate setting and managed when required.
Specs
This is where Ivy shows just how useful it can be! it tolerates full sun all the way to deep shade and isn’t fussy about soil type, plus it’s drought tolerant! It’s quick and easy to grow and is extremely resilient. For the cherry on top; ivy is evergreen and will look good all year round! It’s perfect for containers, screening, hiding eyesores, and climbing up arches or pergolas.
If you’re considering purchasing Ivy be sure to take a look at the range of cultivars available, there’s a selection of beautifully variegated options to choose from.
