Festive favourite
stems produce hairy roots which change shape to fit the surface of the structure they are climbing. Root hairs then excrete nanoparticles which act like glue. The hairs burrow into any cavities, drying out in corkscrew spirals which further locks in the plant to the wall.
All this can make homeowners nervous that the ivy is somehow sucking the life out of the wall and weakening it. In fact, it can be quite useful in insulating buildings from extreme weather and can be kept in check with severe pruning.
The problem is when you try to remove ivy from a wall and all those hairy roots refuse to budge and bits of mortar start coming away.
Is it damaging to trees? Not really as it isn’t parasitic, it is just using the tree as a climbing frame. However, if you are planting young trees it is best to keep clear of ivy as its ground roots will compete for water and nutrients.
While it’s a brilliant groundcover, it can be invasive, so plant judiciously.
Ivy is extremely valuable for wildlife, producing flowers that are rich in nectar and berries when there is little else for birds to forage. The flowers appear in small domeshaped clusters – like a mini version of Fatsia flowers, also belonging to the same family of plants. The high fat content of the berries make them very nutritious and loved by thrushes, wood pigeons and blackbirds, while the flowers provide pollen for many insects including bees, butterflies and hoverflies.
There are many different cultivars available with varying leaf shapes and sizes, plus variegations in white or gold or cream. I particularly love Hedera ‘Buttercup’ for its buttery golden leaves when it is planted in the sun. ‘Goldchild’ has attractive yellow and light green variegation. ‘Green Ripple’ has elegant finely cut deep green leaves or, for something more ornamental, ‘Ivalace’ has crinkly glossy green leaves.
The small-leaved trailing varieties are a perfect foil for pots of brightly coloured cyclamens and are ideal for hanging baskets, containers and window boxes.
Variegated trailers are also a good foil for evergreens in pots such as bay, box or holly, just giving a little lift to the colour scheme.
Add a red ribbon and you’re all set for the festive season!