Ivy

Today's the day ………………………… for a late-comer

Ivy doesn't bloom until the autumn - and when it does - its flowers are small and green and rather insignificant to humans.

They do, however, produce a lot of pollen and nectar that is very attractive to a wide range of pollinating insects including honey bees, other bees, hoverflies, late season butterflies like the Red Admiral and wasps. Apparently nearly 90% of the pollen collected by honey bees in the autumn comes from ivy. It is an important source of nectar for them too.     

Ivy is abundant and widespread and plays a very important role at this time of the year ………………...