by Ray George
Ivy is a useful plant for covering a tree stump or disguising an ugly shed or fence. There are several attractive named varieties of the common ivy Hedera helix. When an ivy climbs up a tree trunk, at the top, it changes its form into what could be mistaken for a splendid tree. In autumn, it has clusters of small green flowers with yellow stamens, followed by black berries.
If ivy is allowed to climb up a wall, paintwork may be pulled off or pointing damaged when the ivy is removed and the remnants of roots will leave an ugly mark. If ivy is growing up a tree, do you want it to take over and choke the tree? A lot of privet hedges have ivy growing through them. Unless removed when first noticed, you will certainly learn that a stitch in time saves nine.