Mature Ivy
I am looking for wildlife friendly climbers to add to my wildlife garden. I realise that some people can’t stand ivy, and see it as a nuisance, but I know it can be great for native wildlife. The thing is, it’s only really good once it is mature and producing flowers and berries. Does anyone know where I can purchase a mature ivy plant, or can anyone suggest a climber that could fill the same niche, ie late nectar for invertebrates and berries for birds? Thanks.
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You can as mentioned take cuttings and get that growth like a shrub, with the flowers and berries.
We had a section on a wall some years ago, once it reached the top of the six foot wall it went from sticky typical ivy to the different leaf, flower and berry formation.
But due to a car crashing through it, we lost it.
I wish I had tried to save it.
I think it takes a few years to form and mature to that stage.
Elephant hawk moths caterpillars also like the golden hops
I'm always singing the praises of a nursery called Fibrex which specialises in ivy and offers dozens of varieties. Four years ago I bought seven different ivies from them, and they have grown at different rates. I found them very helpful in choosing which to buy, we exchanged numerous emails before I made my final selection. I think as a general rule, the nearer ivy is to the wild type, the more vigorous.