Ivy

Today's the day ....................... to leave well alone

There's one plant that comes into its own at this time of year and provides a natural food source for all kind of insects, particularly bees - and that's ivy.

Ivy is often seen as a pest that overwhelms flower beds, strangles trees and damages buildings and it's usually the first thing to be hacked back in the garden.  But there's a good reason for gardeners to love it.  It is thought that honey bees rely upon ivy for the majority of the pollen and nectar they collect during the autumn months, a crucial time when they are trying to build up stores for the winter and feed their young.

So when you're tidying up your garden in the autumn months, try to resist the temptation to hack back the ivy until its important job is finished .....................