Ivy Hedera helix and subspecies hibernica
Family: Araliaceae – Spikenard Family
Climbing to: 30m
Flowering: Late autumn
Fruit: Winter
In our analysis of the best plants for garden wildlife, ivy came top out of over 700 species. It is a very vigorous climber, clinging on using adhesive nanoparticles1. secreted by the clinging stems. It is also notorious for spreading horizontally over the ground and taking over borders and even lawns. As the berries are eaten by birds, ivy appears from seed all over the garden, and it often colonises hedges and walls. Ivy changes its growth pattern as it grows vertically. Lower stems, and ground spreading ivy leaves are five-lobed, while the leaves on the upper climbing stems (which also bear the flowers and fruit) are unlobed.
It has recently become clear that there are two subspecies of ivy native to Britain and Ireland, Hedera helix helix ("English ivy") and Hedera helix hibernica (Atlantic ivy)2.. Atlantic ivy is native to (and the dominant variety in) western parts of the British Isles. It has twice the chromosome number of ssp helix, is a weaker climber and has paler yellowish-green leaves. The two are hard to tell apart, and a cultivar of H. helix ssp. hibernica, known as "Irish ivy", is commonly grown in gardens
History and uses
Ivy was first recorded botanically very early by William Turner in 1538.3. Locally it has names such as Ivery, Bindwood and Stone-love. It is not useful as wood or fruit for people, but fresh leaves are considered a cure for corns, and a water infusion is apparently effective for cleaning men’s suits. Ivy is still used for decoration at Christmas, although it is said to be unlucky to bring either holly or ivy into the house before Christmas Eve.4. Ivy is generally unpopular with gardeners as it grows quickly with dense green foliage and can smother other plants if left unchecked. There are many cultivars available, including attractively patterned variegated forms that are generally less vigorous.
Associated species
Ivy is an important source of nectar for bees and hoverflies flying late in the season. The developing flower buds of ivy are the food plant for the autumn brood of the holly blue butterfly. The berries attract pigeons, blackbirds and other berry-eating birds. Old-growth ivy forms dense mats on walls and trees, which are thick enough for birds to nest in, and provides excellent hibernation oppoprtunities for invertebrates. 105 mite and insect species are recorded as feeding on ivy, the majority being beetles, bugs and moths. The second brood larvae of the holly blue butterfly Celastrina argiolus feed on ivy, which is also a host for the oak eggar moth Lasiocampa quercus and the striking dot moth Melanchra persicariae.5.
References
1. Yu Wu, Xiaopeng Zhao, and Mingjun Zhang. 2010 Adhesion mechanics of ivy nanoparticles. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 344:533-40 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2009.12.041
2.BSBI Species Accounts Archive on ivy
3. Pearman, D. The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland. 2017. BSBI, Bristol. p228
4. Vickery, R. 2019. Vickery’s Folk Flora, An A to Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. London. p 392
5. Biological Records Centre database
Page drafted by Caroline Ware, compiled by Steve Head
Typical appearance when climbing Lobed leaves on lower or ground stems
Ivy flowers and berries
Ivy Hedera helix and subspecies hibernica
Climbing to: 30m
Flowering: Late autumn
Fruit: Winter
In our analysis of the best plants for garden wildlife, ivy came top out of over 700 species. It is a very vigorous climber, clinging on using adhesive nanoparticles1. secreted by the clinging stems. It is also notorious for spreading horizontally over the ground and taking over borders and even lawns. As the berries are eaten by birds, ivy appears from seed all over the garden, and it often colonises hedges and walls. Ivy changes its growth pattern as it grows vertically. Lower stems, and ground spreading ivy leaves are five-lobed, while the leaves on the upper climbing stems (which also bear the flowers and fruit) are unlobed.
It has recently become clear that there are two subspecies of ivy native to Britain and Ireland, Hedera helix helix ("English ivy")2. and Hedera helix hibernica (Atlantic ivy). Atlantic ivy is native to (and the dominant variety in) western parts of the British Isles. It has twice the chromosome number of ssp helix, is a weaker climber and has paler yellowish-green leaves. The two are hard to tell apart, and a cultivar of H. helix ssp. hibernica, known as "Irish ivy", is commonly grown in gardens.
Typical appearance when climbing Lobed leaves on lower or ground stems
Ivy flowers and berries
History and uses
Ivy was first recorded botanically very early by William Turner in 1538.3. Locally it has names such as Ivery, Bindwood and Stone-love. It is not useful as wood or fruit for people, but fresh leaves are considered a cure for corns, and a water infusion is apparently effective for cleaning men’s suits. Ivy is still used for decoration at Christmas, although it is said to be unlucky to bring either holly or ivy into the house before Christmas Eve.4. Ivy is generally unpopular with gardeners as it grows quickly with dense green foliage and can smother other plants if left unchecked. There are many cultivars available, including attractively patterned variegated forms that are generally less vigorous.
Associated species
Ivy is an important source of nectar for bees and hoverflies flying late in the season. The developing flower buds of ivy are the food plant for the autumn brood of the holly blue butterfly. The berries attract pigeons, blackbirds and other berry-eating birds. Old-growth ivy forms dense mats on walls and trees, which are thick enough for birds to nest in, and provides excellent hibernation oppoprtunities for invertebrates. 105 mite and insect species are recorded as feeding on ivy, the majority being beetles, bugs and moths. The second brood larvae of the holly blue butterfly Celastrina argiolus feed on ivy, which is also a host for the oak eggar moth Lasiocampa quercus and the striking dot moth Melanchra persicariae.5.
References
1. Yu Wu, Xiaopeng Zhao, and Mingjun Zhang. 2010. Adhesion mechanics of ivy nanoparticles. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 344:533-40 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2009.12.041
2. BSBI Species Accounts Archive on ivy
3. Pearman, D. The Discovery of the Native Flora of Britain and Ireland. 2017. BSBI, Bristol. p228
4. Vickery, R. 2019. Vickery’s Folk Flora, An A to Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. London. p 392
5. Biological Records Centre database
Page drafted by Caroline Ware, compiled by Steve Head
AGM award for cultivars
AGM award for cultivars
Garden Wildplants
Garden Wildplants
