Day 27 of my Dark Dark Days of December Challenge – the best way to combat the winter blues – connect with the nature looking at the evergreen leaves of ivy.
The Holly and the Ivy – at Christmas and in the Winter
Holly and Ivy are closely associated with the Winter Solstice, Christmas and the Winter. I spent a long time during my childhood and early adult life avoiding going out very much in the winter. I felt sad in the winter and wanted to hunker down and hibernate until my favourite season Spring was upon us again. When I had children and then also dogs this all changed.
I got out everyday of the year. I began to appreciate the late Autumn and Winter seasons as much as I loved Spring, Summer and early Autumn. I now find the changing seasons enchanting. The subtle changes that happen everyday when you look for nature in your garden and in your local area are plain to see if you look for them.
Even thought I get out every day with my dogs – in December this tends to be in the dark and so it is more difficult to see nature. Hence, my dark days December challenge – to go out every day – mostly with a torch and search for the nature. You will see Ivy everywhere in winter as all the other leaves have died and fallen to the ground. This is why people associated it with Winter.
Ivy is evergreen
If you go walking anywhere slightly green in December you will see that the only green leaves you will definitely see will be those of Ivy. Holly is also evergreen but is not as widespread over winter. Devon is very mild normally and especially this winter we have had the treats of other leaves and flowers still being green. However the Ivy is one of the most dominantly green plants in the front garden. Traditionally, people brought green foliage into the house at this time of year. The Holly and the Ivy were used the most as they are widespread and evergreen. Also, Holly has those wonderful red berries!
The best way to grow Ivy in the garden
Ivy is great for wildlife. Ivy provides shelter all year round for invertebrates and for birds in my wildlife garden. Ivy does not strangle trees and it is fine to let it grow up around your other plants. Ivy is also superb ground cover. Ivy is not as damaging to masonry and houses as people think. However, if you do not want it growing up your house walls. Just cut it at the base regularly. Then, it will grow elsewhere in the garden and stop trying to grow up the house walls.
Tiny droplets glistening on the Ivy Leaves
The tiny droplets of mist on the ivy leaf caught my eye and made me look more carefully. This is a plant that is great for insects as it flowers in the Autumn when the food sources for bees and other pollinators are dwindling. Take time to pop outside and connect with nature to combat the winter blues – join others on the Devon Wildlife Trust’s 12 days of Christmas wild challenge
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/news/charity-wants-you-have-wild-christmas