Ivy is a native perennial and flowers from September through to November, to a height of up to 30m. The flowers of this evergreen climber are yellow-green and grow in rounded clusters; these are followed by black berries. The leaves are glossy and oval-shaped with pale veins.

Ivy is an important pollinator-friendly plant and is of high value to wildlife. It is a great source of nectar for autumn insects such as wasps, honeybees and red admiral butterflies. Ivy also provides roosting sites for bats and birds, and a home for hibernating insects.

Ivy is a familiar sight in woodland trees and ground, hedgerows, rocky areas and walls. If unchecked Ivy forms thick bushes. It will thrive in most soils, preferring part to full shade.

Ivy can be easily propagated by cuttings taken in the autumn.

Interesting facts:

• Ivy uses trees and walls for support, allowing it to reach upwards to better levels of sunlight. Ivy is not a parasitic plant, so does not damage trees. Ivy’s presence on a tree does not indicate that the tree is unhealthy.
• Ivy’s evergreen nature made it an especially powerful symbol during the dark winter months of times past. Sprigs of ivy (and holly) were brought into houses to keep evil spirits at bay.
• Ivy is also a symbol of fidelity and a wreath of ivy used to be given to newly married couples. Today it is still the custom for bridal bouquets to contain a sprig of ivy.