Hedera helix

Description

Araliaceae (family name)
This can be a major honey plant, in the UK because of its widespread nature and ability to grow on all but the most extreme acid soil. Providing copious Nectar and Pollen from September right up until hard winter begins, sometimes even flowering to Christmas in milder parts, and may be seen dripping with nectar. This is the last important nectar and honey plant available to Honeybees of the season and conveniently the nectar is already very concentrated so they do not need to work so hard fanning to convert it to honey. Ivy provides a feast for many pollinating insects including Solitary bees such as the ivy bee, Colletes hederae, and the rare Golden Hoverfly, and in recent years the buff-tailed Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, which may allow it to establish a second generation in mild winters. The pollen is a dull yellow and heavily granulated. It also provides forage for butterflies and moths, is a caterpillar food plant, and provides berries in the winter for birds.
Flowering time: September, October, November, December.
Growing information: EVERGREEN climbing SHRUB, a wild native which can grow to 10m (32 feet) by on average 3m (9feet10inches) in about 10 – 20 years. This long-lived climber surviving undisturbed for 100’s of years, provides a multitude of benefits including habitat for wildlife, as it clings to rock surfaces, old walls and trees. Contrary to an old myth, Ivy does not damage trees (it simply uses the tree to climb, its aerial roots able to hold onto bark while its stems are flexible and shift as the tree grows). Mature plants produce bushy, non-clinging branches which provide habitat for a multitude of wildlife. It can grow in any aspect and any soil and any pH (apart from extreme acid) and any location. It prefers moist but well-drained soil though is also drought-tolerant. It may be subject to leaf-spot (in drought). Fully hardy in the British Isles, it is found throughout Europe and Asia. Recent research has found it to be the most effective wall insulation for modern houses (keeping them cool in summer and warm in winter) with purpose-made wall-cling-structures, it can be a perfect Passivhaus addition. But is a perfect garden plant too looking great on walls and pergolas or alongside Clematis or roses.