Is Ivy Weed or Wildlife Habitat?
It’s a good question.
Although I get asked about ivy whichever ‘hat’ I’m wearing, it is particularly as a garden consultant that the client presents it to me as a problem.
Now, as you’d expect, I do see a lot of weeds, but both at work as Plews, and in my own garden, weeds are categorised as being a plant in the wrong place. I appreciate this definition may annoy some people, but it is a good starting point.
Ivy, Hedera helix, common or English ivy, is native across much of Europe and is often grown as an ornamental. It’s a perennial climber with berries that are a good winter food source for many birds and the flowers are nectar rich.
It has a strong root system and adventitious roots – those little roots you can see on the stems. And it may be that the clinging ability when an ivy is left to grow unchecked is the cause of the problem.
ivy is successful at colonising less cultivated areas of a garden, which may be a bonus but is why it can be difficult and time consuming to get rid of. Which is when it can turn into a weed – a plant in the wrong place. Let’s look at some pros and cons and ways to deal with ivy as a weed and as wildlife and ornamental benefit.
Is Ivy Weed or Wildlife Habitat? – Weed
So why is ivy a weed? In many parts of Australia and the USA it is labelled as an invasive species. In the states of Oregon and Washington, sales of it are banned and it is listed as a noxious weed – as Japanese Knotweed is in the UK.
Ivy is a survivor, it can spread easily through seed dispersal (birds and small animals are the main agents here). The stems have short root like growths, but these only enable it to cling to tree trunks, fences and so on.
Although it is not a parasite, it is the density of growth is that causes the problem. The thick cover of ivy covering the ground prevents other plants from taking root and growing and it has the ability to spread quickly over large areas.
it may be that the ivy is in the wrong place as it’s damaging a fence. One question to pose is – what will be the result if we remove the ivy? It’s not unknown for the garden boundary to be overgrown ivy rather than fence!
Ivy Removal Methods
Remember to check for wildlife before removing ivy. This includes birds and their nests, which if in use means you’ll need to wait until the chicks have flown. Give other wildlife a chance to move home – shaking the ivy and / or pruning away only some of the plant at any one time will reduce disturbance. Thise insects could be predators and part of your pest control army so you don’t want to kill them!
And ascertain how stable your fence is – it could be the ivy holding it up!
Where the ivy is climbing on trees, fences and walls, the best method is usually to cut through the stems as low down as possible. Then wait whilst the top growth dies off. This dead growth can then more easily be removed, minimising damage to the tree, fence or wall.
The stump can be dug out or if that’s not possible, treated with an organic weed killer. If control rather than eradication is the aim, allow the ivy to regrow and restrain the new growth.
Spraying ivy foliage with weed killer is not always effective as the leaves have a waxy coating, reducing the absorption. Spraying on a cool day slows down evaporation, allowing more time for the herbicide to sink into the leaves. To improve the effectiveness of this method, make multiple cuts in the stems to aid penetration of the weed killer into the plant’s transport system. Check for wildlife before starting and use an organic spray, following the instructions, including wearing a mask, etc.
Is Ivy Weed or Wildlife Habitat? – Wildlife
Ivy, in particular Hedera helix, is undoubtedly the best evergreen climber for wildlife in Great Britain. It provides: –
- Nesting sites for blackbirds, wrens and other garden birds
- Hibernation habitats for butterflies
- Nectar rich flowers for pollinating insects from September to November
- Berries provide a winter food source for many birds, including migrating species
Its dense coverage that creates dust to make gardeners cough when they prune it back is a positive attribute for much of the wildlife that live in it over the year. Wearing a dust mask takes little effort if you’re prone to coughing.
Growing an ivy and a honeysuckle up a shady wall will give you a living picture to watch and provide a wildlife habitat in your garden. Much prettier than a blank space and beneficial not only to garden birds but to the larger community of your garden’s flora and fauna (which includes humans and pets too).
Is Ivy Weed or Wildlife Habitat? – a useful Climber
Kept in check in a garden situation ivy can be beneficial, offering evergreen cover to disguise ugly vertical spaces, shelter and food for wildlife. Hedera helix can grow to 30 metres, so most people will need to keep cutting at it, or choose a less rampant variety of ivy.
Shade
Where an evergreen, shade loving climber is needed, there are many decorative varieties to choose from. There are those with variegated foliage, coloured stems and decorative leaf forms. The trick for control is to keep an eye on it; prevention is better than cure! Then it won’t take over your fences or trees.
One of the ivies I like for these situations is Hedera helix ‘Goldheart’ – also known as Hedera helix ‘Oro di Bogliasco’. This ivy has a splash of gold in the centre of its glossy evergreen leaf. The stems are an attractive red.
Ground cover for difficult places
Ivy can also be used as ground cover; just be aware that it will root and therefore spread easily. However, it can be useful on steep slopes where you want an evergreen cover but are not able for access reasons to have a grass lawn.
Topiary
Grown on a frame, ivy can make a quick-growing topiary figure. For example, Hedera helix ‘Jester’s gold’ with deeply lobed leaves. I think this is a particularly attractive ivy. It will twine around a topiary frame to give a pyramid shape, a useful trick to lighten a dark corner and give height as well.
Hanging baskets
Because ivy is tolerant of shade and drought it makes a good choice for a difficult to reach hanging basket.
and finally…
So, have I answered the question “Is ivy weed or wildlife habitat”? Yes – in so far as it is both of these. In the eyes of gardeners, farmers and landscape managers it is a weed when in the wrong place, uncontrolled and invasive. But when kept in check, and certainly in a garden environment, it can be a decorative addition of benefit to humans and wildlife.
For more on wildlife friendly garden designs check out the blogs below, enjoy your garden and if Plews can help you with anything, please do get in touch. For example –
Our Garden Consultancy & Advice Visits may help with some of your issues. Or does your planting need a rethink? Do you have a birthday coming up? Plews bespoke Gardening Lessons, where your classroom is actually your own garden make a wonderful and practical gift. You could learn how to grow an orchard of citrus fruits in your conservatory! We help you with both gardening basics and more ‘expert tasks’, depending on what you need. Have a read through this pdf download for info.
For further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below. You could come and find us on Instagram Pinterest and Facebook too.
Feeling nosey? You can have a peek at the progress of my garden renovation, Spitfires and Slow Worms, on Instagram and Facebook
You’ll get to see it in person if you come to the Plews Gardening Workshops Current ones on Eventbrite for you to book into. Follow for updates on topics and dates on Plews website, Instagram, Eventbrite, Facebook
Plus get your local garden club, allotment, WI, U3A or other group to ask me along to give a talk (and bring plants 😉)
Related Gardening Blogs from the award winning Plews Potting Shed
Wild about Gardens – Design Ideas for Humans and Wildlife
Creating Small Wildlife Habitats in Your Garden
Growing Mistletoe for Christmas and for Wildlife
6 Bird Friendly Shrubs for Your Winter Garden
