The Benefits of Ivy

Juvenile ivy - no flowers, just leaves

Hedera helix, common ivy,  grows on all the walls in my garden. I try to keep it under control while allowing it to grow because it is useful to so many birds and insects. 

Shade tolerant, easy to grow and evergreen it can keep buildings cool in the sun and less damp in winter. It has two forms: juvenile and mature. 

Ivy flowers on mature ivy

Ivy remains juvenile for about ten years. Only mature plants produce flowers which are yellowish green and grow in clusters. The fruits are black and berry like. 

Mature ivy, a wonderful site for all sorts of birds and insects

Ivy nectar, pollen and berries are a essential food for insects and birds and the berries are eaten by thrushes, blackcaps, woodpeckers, and blackbirds. It is important for many insects before they go into hibernation and for bees, hoverflies and wasps. Some butterfly and moth larvae such as Holly Blue and swallow-tailed moths gorge on it, as do many rare insects such as the golden hoverfly. More than 140 species of insects and 17 birds feed on ivy and numerous others use its evergreen shelter. 

Blackbird eating ivy berry

Ivy uses trees and walls for support to climb into the sunlight. It is not parasitic and has a separate root system so it absorbs its own nutrients, does not damage what it is climbing and its presence does not indicate that the tree is unhealthy. Research by English Heritage has shown that in some cases ivy can preserve stonework on old buildings. The Holly Blue butterfly likes ivy and holly  particularly and can be seen in summer flying high around ivy bushes. 

Holly Blue butterfly

Trim back excess growth in spring and wear gloves because ivy can cause irritation.