Flower of the day

There are an incredible 50 species whose lives are associated with ivy - it plays such a pivotal role in providing a continuous refuge in which insects, birds, bats, hedgehogs and other small mammals and animals can hide, roost, nest, re-fuel and hibernate.

The current clusters of blooming, spherical yellowish-green flowers on mature ivy in my garden have been attracting hoverflies, bees, butterflies and other insects preparing to hibernate. And after the flowers, from November until January the dark purple, high-fat berries will be providing another vital food source for thrushes, blackbirds and other creatures.