Ivy

Ivy deserves a special mention as it is such an important plant at this time of year for providing nectar and pollen for bees. In fact recent research has shown that almost ninety per cent of pollen being brought back to honey bee hives in autumn comes from ivy; no doubt wild bees and other insects are making much use of it too.

Ivy will clamber into trees but rarely swamps them, after all they have been co-existing for thousands of years. It has two stages of growth, a juvenile stage when it is climbing and then a mature stage with different oval-shaped leaves and the all-important flowers. Furthermore it provides vital shelter for our little wild birds in the cold of winter and then berries and a nesting place in spring.