I also wanted to plant ivy for wildlife, but I've only got a small garden, weak fences, and was too impatient to wait for it to mature I planted one of the shrub forms - a hedera helix poetica. Got it from here and they were very helpful: https://cotswoldgardenflowers.co.uk/encyclopedia/hedera-helix-f-poetarum-poetica-arborea/ (apologies if links aren't allowed). It seems they're out of stock but maybe they've got more growing?
It's only little still, but there were plenty of bees around it in late autumn and imo it's a sweet little thing. Highly recommend in combination with climbing ivy for shelter, likeas others have suggested!
The main benefit to wildlife is a place to hide, roost and nest once the plant is dense enough. When it flowers, you can add the benefit to pollinators and then the berries are a popular food source later in the season. Age and size to reach maturity and hopefully flowering would therefore be important factors but whether or not the actual look of it would be the main consideration is obviously a personal choice. I've no experience of the varieties you mention but hopefully others do and will be able to give you an idea.
Glacier is much smaller and neater IME - don't know about the others, but I'd agree with @philippasmith2 that it largely depends on what wildlife benefit you want. Birds use mine frequently, as do spiders, wasps and bees, and no doubt loads of other creatures that I don't see on a regular basis.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I would like it to benefit wildlife as much as possible, providing cover, nesting site and food for pollinators. I was wanting the native ivy, but they all seem to be cultivated varieties.
I intend to allow it to grow up and over this stone wall behind the pond I made last year, ground cover would also be ok (plumb tree is now gone)...
Or you could ask on the Seed Swap thread for rooted pieces ... I'll bet there's some regulars here who could pull some up out of their gardens for you.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
More than enough native Ivy here to share around @LeadFarmer
It may not be quite the thing to suggest ( pinching plants from the wild as such ) but can you not take a trip to your nearest "wild" area and see if you can get a piece of ivy to grow on ? Not suggesting you dig it up but quite often you can find a decent piece without damaging the plant itself.
Good luck with however you decide to cover your wall
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It's only little still, but there were plenty of bees around it in late autumn and imo it's a sweet little thing. Highly recommend in combination with climbing ivy for shelter, likeas others have suggested!
Age and size to reach maturity and hopefully flowering would therefore be important factors but whether or not the actual look of it would be the main consideration is obviously a personal choice.
I've no experience of the varieties you mention but hopefully others do and will be able to give you an idea.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I intend to allow it to grow up and over this stone wall behind the pond I made last year, ground cover would also be ok (plumb tree is now gone)...
Or you could ask on the Seed Swap thread for rooted pieces ... I'll bet there's some regulars here who could pull some up out of their gardens for you.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
It may not be quite the thing to suggest ( pinching plants from the wild as such ) but can you not take a trip to your nearest "wild" area and see if you can get a piece of ivy to grow on ? Not suggesting you dig it up but quite often you can find a decent piece without damaging the plant itself.
Good luck with however you decide to cover your wall
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
https://www.best4hedging.co.uk/hedera-hibernica-p182#:~:text=Hedera%20hibernica%20is%20great%20for%20using%20as%20ground,established%20Irish%20Ivy%20will%20quickly%20cover%20any%20surface.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.