Our native ivy
Ivy is a wonderful plant. Our native ivy,
has two distinct forms, although it’s just one plant. While at ground level it spreads in every direction, clambering about and making dense cover. It’s immensely useful to wildlife. At this stage its leaves have the typical ‘ivy’ shape with lobed leaves, usually with five points.
When it decides to climb, though, it goes through a transformation. It a aches itself by tiny roots that grow on the back of its stems, and as it begins to climb its leaves change shape, becoming entire, often narrower and more elongated and as shiny as can be. But the most remarkable metamorphosis is that as it climbs it begins to flower, which it never does in its prostrate form.
The flowers have tiny petals but pronounced anthers full of pollen, and are followed by black berries – manna for blackbirds, thrushes and
wood pigeons. Far from being an enemy, it’s a friend to wildlife and a boon in any garden.