3 minute read
Hard-working Ivy
from Alconbury Dec 2020
by Villager Mag
The Holly and the Ivy, to structure underneath. Don’t let it get into gutters When they are both full grown, because it will clog them then infiltrate under tiles Of all the trees that are in the wood, or slates. The Holly bears the crown. Ivy is excellent ground cover. It will scramble over Holly is much coveted festive greenery but what areas of poor soil and brighten the ground between about ivy, or Hedera to give it the botanical name? It shrubs during the dark winter months. Persian ivy, makes up the trio of festive plants, the other being Hedera colchica ‘Dentata Variegata’, is lovely because mistletoe, and frankly it’s usually seen as a bit of a of its large, yellow-edged leaves. Hedera canariensis poor relation, misunderstood and mostly unloved. ‘Gloire de Marengo’ is also good. Its red stems and Yet ivy is a great workhorse in the garden. It’s large leaves with splashes of yellow looks rather evergreen, it attracts wildlife and is excellent on splendid. If you need an area covered quickly try those north-facing walls and fences where nothing Hedera Hibernica, which is a vigorous native ivy. else seems to grow. It’s not just a dark green cloak Hedera helix is the other native ivy and this one has either; there are many cultivars with different numerous cultivars including Goldheart, which has leaf shapes and variegated foliage. The variegated yellow-centred leaves, Green Ripple, with frilly edged varieties are great in those areas that catch just a leaves and ‘Buttercup’ which is bright yellow. little sunlight during part of the day as they suddenly If you love to support the wildlife in your garden, seem to illuminate a usually dull spot. then ivy is a terrific plant. During autumn and early Ivy is great for disguising an ugly wall, a bare fence, winter adult ivies produce small greenish-yellow or an old tree stump. It’s a reliable and self-clinging flowers. These are especially rich in nectar so attract climber if you choose the right variety and bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other insects, remember to prune it correctly. The young climbing providing them with a place to overwinter. Birds like stems are slender and flexible with small aerial roots thrushes, blackbirds and robins enjoy the purple black that fix the shoot to a surface. Adult stems are berries which ripen from late winter to mid-spring, thicker, self-supporting and do not have roots. Unlike providing a much-needed winter food source. mistletoe ivy isn’t parasitic so won’t harm trees but I hope I’ve made a good case for growing ivy in your be careful about letting it grow on the walls of your garden. Holly might bear the crown, but I reckon ivy house as it will damage weak mortar and pebbledash. deserves a tiara at the very least! If growing on a property it needs to be clipped back in spring and summer, so it doesn’t do any damage Happy Gardening & Merry Christmas 28 Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts
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