Dappled shade, full shade, full sun, partial shade
Aspect:
East facing, north facing, south facing, west facing
Position in border:
Back
Soil
Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
English ivy, Hedera helix, has many uses all round the garden. It can be used to cover shady walls and trained to climb up or spread out along a low wall. Being evergreen, Hedera helix is perfect for covering pergola poles, or creating a leafy backdrop beneath clematis and climbing roses.
Use young plants to spill around the outsides of containers and winter hanging baskets. Hedera helix can be trimmed into shape at any time of year. It's a valuable wildlife plant, providing a late source of nectar and pollen for insects, and berries for birds in winter. Be careful when handling it if you have sensitive skin as its sap can be irritating.
Hedera is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It is a caterpillar food plant, has nectar/pollen rich flowers, provides shelter and habitat, has seeds for birds and makes a good wildlife hedge.
