At this time of year, holly gets all the attention. Poor old ivy is very much the poor relation, despite its mention in that well-known Christmas carol...
Yes, female holly trees produce beautiful red berries among prickly, glossy leaves. But ivy's just as good a plant for wildlife - probably even better.
This weekend, think about giving ivy the attention it deserves.
At the moment, ivy's in flower, providing vital supplies for insects like butterflies, wasps and flies. Before you get scared at the thought of wasps, they're very docile when it's cold outside and aren't really in the mood for anything except feeding. So it's a great chance to get a little closer and watch these fascinating insects at close range.
Later in winter, ivy berries appear at a time when most other berries are long-gone. And because it doesn't drop its leaves, ivy makes a cosy place to roost or hibernate for a range of wildlife.
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