In the garden this week: Ivy and camellia

The ivy league If you want winter structure, but have no room for big evergreens, ever thought of ivy? Sure, the likes of Hedera hibernica are as good as weeds, and ivy in general has a bad name for its wall-wrecking abilities, but some smaller varieties will froth delicately up a garden arbour, ­pergola or fence, and look like finely textured, well maintained topiary. Try the ludicrously curly H. ­helix 'Fluffy Ruffles' or the unusual bird's foot ivy H. helix 'Pedata'. Camellia care Although camellias are hardy, their flowers and buds aren't so tough. If you have a fine crop of buds coming along, keep an eye on the forecast and a piece of fleece handy to fling over should hard frost threaten. The worst damage occurs when buds defrost quickly, so if yours is in a pot in a place that receives early-morning sunshine, now is the time to move it somewhere south-, west-, or even north-facing, where they can at least defrost at leisure.