The Holly and the Ivy and Wildlife

These two glossy evergreens linked by an ancient carol, are often overlooked, or in the case of ivy, reviled.  But both are essential for wildlife. For when the richness of summer leaf and the motley of reds and yellows lie as leaf litter, these two are steadfast, still offering food and shelter. 

A small wild pollinator, present in UK only since 2001, the Ivy Bee, (Colleteshederae) emerging in September, is almost wholly dependent on autumn's ivy flowers. Seen in Forncett in large numbers, buzzing contentedly in the sun in a thriving hedge of flowering ivy.  Photo & Caption Christina Wakeford 

The bunches of pale yellow flowers which the mature ivy bears are called umbrels, derived from Latin, 'umbra', and French, 'ombre' meaning shade.  They are laden with the nectar and pollen needed by honey bees throughout autumn when they are stockpiling to feed their young.  Research from Sussex University has found that honey bees, during the months of September and October, collect 85% of their nectar from ivy and it is of the highest quality. Although less in quantity, they also collect the bulk of the pollen they need from this source.  

Small songbirds nest in the foliage, butterflies and a range of other insects and small mammals benefit too. Its glossy leaves offer cool depths, structure for ease of building, secrecy, protection and shelter from rain.  Its purple black berries provide food in springtime when other food sources are scarce.  Ivy is greatly underrated.  It helps bats; it is an important structural plant amongst dense cover and it strengthens hedges.  

Given licence, common ivy, (hedera helix), will clamber joyously, providing a beautiful green background along an unsightly wall or surface, happy to be pruned and, it will survive the deepest shade.

Anxieties about ivy centre on its habit of climbing and clinging, to trees, walls and buildings. However, Historic England, Oxford University, and Wildlife Trusts now believe that trees and walls are largely unharmed by ivy. It is self-clinging, not parasitical and the little aerial roots are so it can support itself. It does not strangle trees.  If it becomes too bushy though, it can act like a sail in a strong wind and place stress upon the tree's roots.  Pruning is then necessary. It can also open and exploit small cracks in rotten mortar, allowing water ingress. Brickwork later than 1920 is considered to be safe but checks on the solidity of mortar can be done.  Advantages include an insulating effect and the run off of rainwater down the leaves.

Holly, (Ilex aquifolium), is the queen of winter woodlands.  The sheen of her leaves and brilliance of her crimson berries give relief to a winter scene of bare boughs and the latticed black twigs of deciduous native strees. Holly offers one of nature's own defences; the prickles close ranks to present an impenetrable deterrent to foxes, badgers and birds of prey.  Holly blue butterflies need holly and ivy leaves.  Hedgehogs find protection as do tiny mammals, (even dormice occasionally), while small birds such as waxwings, blackbirds and mistlethrush relish the berries.  The tiny flowers open in May or June and bees respond to the call of their fragrance. 

Blackbird on holly. Photo : Carol Sharp & Evas-naturfotografie 

Our ancestors understood the great value of the holly tree and whole groves were planted in many parts of the country.  They were called 'hollins'  Deer were reliant on holly during the famine of winter months and man upon deer to some extent. Early hunter-gatherers would probably have observed the habits of deer. It was also farmed as winter fodder for cattle and sheep. Unlike the berries, the leaves do not contain toxins.  The upper branches where leaves are smoother were pollarded, leaving the tree to still flourish.  It was valued too by farmers as sturdy stock-hedging.

The wood of holly is dense, hard and white, perhaps the whitest of any wood.  It has been found as board-walks in the fens and has been used for marquetry, substitute ebony and bobbins for Lancashire cotton mills.