The days are cooler and shorter, the dew is heavier on the ground and there seems to be spiders everywhere.  Yes, Autumn is definitely here!

Whilst it feels like nature is slowing down and getting ready for winter, there are some species that really come in to their own in Autumn. One of these is ivy.

Common ivy (Hedera Helix) is one of the very last plants to flower, producing invaluable nectar and pollen for a wider range of insects between September and November.  It has an open flower structure which makes nectar widely available to a significant range of pollinators including bees, hoverfliews wasps and moths.

As well as providing a brilliant source of sustenance for insects before the hibernation period, the flowers also then become dark berries that provide an essential winter food source for many species of birds. Alongside the bountiful food options that ivy delivers, it is also evergreen.  This means it provides year-round shelter for birds and animals and is an important habitat for butterflies to overwinter.

Ivy also provides many lesser know benefits in urban spaces. An established covering of ivy on buildings and walls can reduce weather impacts by acting as a ‘thermal blanket’, creating a kind of microclimate at the wallface that helps protect from frost, wind and rain damage.  Research by the University of Reading and the Royal Horticultural Society has shown that common ivy is a brilliant plant for summer cooling when used as a green wall, cooling the internal wall tempertures by up to 7 degrees!

Whilst Autumn is traditionally a time for gardeners to prune back plants ready for winter, remember to leave plenty of wild corners for nature to thrive – be it ivy, long grass, fallen leaves and log piles – you never know who might be making these spaces their home…..