The importance of Ivy

[goosey]

Yesterday I put a couple of things I needed ID-ing on the insect forum, both were found in the ivy. I realised over the last month or so, most the things I have needed ID-ing were found in the ivy. So I did a metal check and as far as I can remember, apart from various unknown flies, tiny creatures I don’t have a clue about and spiders, there have been, Ladybirds + Larvae, Angle shades moth, Male+ Female Carnation tortix moths, Parasitic wasp larvae, Hoverfly larvae, Boxbug, Holly blue butterflies, and a brown-tail moth caterpillar.
We have only a small patch of ivy with two types, but it just goes to show how important it is in the scheme of wildlife gardening. Not even to mention the flowers and berries we will get later in the year.

[Olly]

I'd have to agree with you Goosey.

I have 2 large areas of ivy in my garden and both are a haven for all sorts. There is one patch along the perimeter fence which is home to several spiders and a large collection of aphids (this does get trimmed though as its opposite the front door but only after the berries have gone). The other area covers the trunk of a large Sycamore and is home to 2 pairs of robins (both currently nesting) and is always covered with ladybirds, flies and moths.

Its a great sight when the ivy is bearing berries as it gets visited by countless birds (blackbirds, thrushes, pigeons etc), they literally go mad for them.

The other great thing about ivy is that it is so easy to grow so there is no excuse for not having some in the garden.

Olly

[Susie]

Agreed. It is a great source of late nectar too.

[smartie]

I wouldn't be without it either. We have an old stump of willow trunk that is covered with it (it was probably the ivy that brought the tree down in the end) and the old shed that was under the willow when it broke and fell also has ivy growing over its ruins. This presents a bit of a problem, as we want to put up a new shed/hide in much the same place on top of a big water tank (the hole for which has yet to be dug) and I'd like to do this without losing too much of the ivy. I'm hoping that if I just let it run rampant for the next year - which is about how long it will be before we get to the water tank project - and transplant some of the roots to another area by the hedge in the meantime, there will be enough around to regenerate quickly when we have to hack our way in to get the old shed out.

[kaz]

My ivy is taking over the decking and growing through all the wooden slats - I haven't got the heart to pull it out.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by kaz

My ivy is taking over the decking and growing through all the wooden slats - I haven't got the heart to pull it out.

let it grow and mow it once a year with a flymo - voila, a decking lawn - you could start a trend

[m1keanderson]

There's still that tale that ivy strangles trees and pulls walls down and so gets a lot of bad press (and hence 'the chop'). There's a good article ArborEcology.co.uk ::: Articles - Ivy Friend Or Foe which you may all find interesting. Well, I did...

[kaitkaitkait]

Great news to me, because I love ivy and have tons of the stuff!

[Gill Catton]

bats like it too not only as it attracts and concentrates insects providing a nice dinner table but also if it is allowed to grow thickly enough, bats will roost in the twists and turns and crevices caused by its stems.

[honeybee]

And i've seen hornets buzzing all over the stuff, they love the flowers. Is a good evergreen roost for lots of little creatures.