WINTER CRACKER

People get very agitated by ivy. It is true that it sticks itself firmly to walls and also true that it can sometimes interfere with tree growth but, in the right place, it is a crackerjack of a plant. The perfect green wall: always shiny, good insulation, an excellent late source of nectar for bees and ideal winter quarters for all sorts of wildlife. The berries are good too – like earrings made from peppercorns.

Hedera hibernica

A big old evergreen climber that will cover anything, be it in sun or shade. Good for camouflaging an eyesore or as groundcover in troublesome places. HxS 12m x 8m