WE ENJOY the Christmas holiday in our household but I could probably fill the rest of this column listing aspects of the festive season that I find unwelcome and distasteful.
I'm not somebody who could be characterised by any means as a religious person, yet I get most riled by modern, secular 'traditions' such as the celebration of snowmen, reindeer and the pernicious cult of personality that is Santa Claus. Accusations of bah humbug and the more pointed misery guts aren't entirely justified – I'm not anti-Christmas just opposed to wallowing in tat and a Hollywood myth.
One aspect of celebrating Christmas – and marking the winter solstice – that I'm more than happy to practice is decorating the house with evergreens from the garden and what's left of the hedgrows. Christmas tree offcuts, pine cones and dried teasel flowers can also be utilised inside, whether garlanding a mantelpiece or displayed on a wreath, to great effect.
I'd advise you to go sparingly if you are taking wild cuttings and in some circumstances it might be advisable to get the landowner's consent. That said, you're welcome around at mine any time to take as much ivy as you like – you can even come after Christmas.
I have a somewhat ambivalent relationship with ivy. It's great in so many ways – as cover for wildlife, for screening, and for imbuing wooded areas with an untamed ambience that wild garden pioneer William Robinson would be proud of. But it grows quickly and in all directions. While not parasitical per se, it subsumes trees, covering acres if not unchecked, moving horizontally at ground level and through the canopy also. This provides a habitat for all sorts of insects, birds and mammals, which is why there should be ivy in every garden – but within reason.
The native Irish ivy (Hedera Hibernica) flourishes in neglected spaces, meaning it’s often classed as a weed. It is not, as many people think, a parasite and doesn't draw strength from the host tree. It can, however, overwhelm the crown of a tree, which over time will kill it.
It can also be an invasive nuisance, yet go online and many retailers are selling it – some at as much as £20.
Hedera hibernica has even been awarded the RHS's Award of Garden Merit and is prized as an lush, evergreen covering for walls and fences – "perfect for hiding unappealing surfaces", according to the gardening charity's website.
Ivy will grow in any soil and thrives in shade, although the variegated types need more sun and tend not to be a vigorous. Good additions to the garden include Hedera helix ‘Goldheart’, with dark green leaves that have a butter yellow centre. It is slow to establish but then grows rapidly, though is unsuitable as for ground cover.
Hedera ‘Dentata’, more commonly known as ‘Elephant’s ears’ is a vigorous plant that is suitable for growing against a wall or as ground cover. ‘Dentata’ has large light green drooping leaves and normally will grow to a height of 5m or 15ft. The advantage of these cultivars vis a vis native ivy is that they are generally less vigorous and shouldn't need to be kept in check with a pruning saw.
