This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Virginia Creeper / Boston Ivy on Bungalow
mikejames2011
Posts: 39
in Plants
Hello!
We’ve recently had our driveway redone and I got the builders to leave a semi circle so I could plant a climber on the house. I’ve always loved houses covered in Virginia Creeper, ivy etc. I know that English Ivy can damage walls so I picked a small leaf Boston Ivy
“Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘veitchii’
It’s only been planted two weeks and it’s already starting to attach and make its way up the wall. One of our neighbours has now commented how they would never plant something like that on a house! Anyway my understanding is that it just sticks to the wall not sending in roots like ivy. I’m also fully prepared to trim it regularly which I know it will need, we are keen gardeners.
We would like it to grow around the window and then we are happy for it to cover the side wall of the bungalow too so it will have a bit of space to grow.
Has anyone else had experience of this plant and how it does on a house wall / would you plant again? Any photos you could share?
Thanks again
We’ve recently had our driveway redone and I got the builders to leave a semi circle so I could plant a climber on the house. I’ve always loved houses covered in Virginia Creeper, ivy etc. I know that English Ivy can damage walls so I picked a small leaf Boston Ivy
“Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘veitchii’
It’s only been planted two weeks and it’s already starting to attach and make its way up the wall. One of our neighbours has now commented how they would never plant something like that on a house! Anyway my understanding is that it just sticks to the wall not sending in roots like ivy. I’m also fully prepared to trim it regularly which I know it will need, we are keen gardeners.
We would like it to grow around the window and then we are happy for it to cover the side wall of the bungalow too so it will have a bit of space to grow.
Has anyone else had experience of this plant and how it does on a house wall / would you plant again? Any photos you could share?
Thanks again
0
Posts
Loses its leaves in Autumn so you're just left with the skeleton until mid Spring.
I got rid of it because it seemed to be a haven for vine weevil i.e. they were using it to shelter in during the day.
This was it at the end of May this year before I got rid (still producing its new leaves following last Autumn's shedding)
https://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/parthenocissus-veitchii
The whole " roots damage walls" is a bit of a myth. Research by English Heritage and Oxford University concluded that it actually helps, but throwing off rain,and protecting from excessive heat in summer.
The proviso being , that the walls are in good order. If it's on brick, and the mortar is already loose, then roots can exacerbate that problem
It'll reach the roof very quickly and get under the gutters. We had one on the old building at work and it was a single story at one end. Right up over the roof if allowed
IMO, V. creeper is a far nicer plant though.
A mature one of either provides wonderful cover for birds and many will nest in it too.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We have a large overhang of soffit / fascia boards of about 40cm out from the wall so I’ll keep it trimmed at the top of the wall and not let it get onto the soffits. Hoping as it’s a bungalow the maintenance will easier as no ladders required and I can just walk around snipping off the bits we don’t want.
The other option I liked was wisteria? I know I’d have to put in a few wires but would that be a better option maintenance wise? I do love the the look of Virginia creeper though and always wanted one so I think I’ll give it a go!
As I have a house I needed long ladders and in the end was pruning at least twice a year to keep it out of the gutters and from creeping under the roof tiles.
In the end I removed it.
My next door neighbour has one growing over her brick wall (it covers both sides!)and it looks lovely and it can be controlled fairly easily.
One problem I find is that after the wonderful autumn colour the (large) leaves then drop and cover just about everything.As yours would be falling on a drive these could be swept up but a bit of a b***** on lawns and flower beds.
So very nice but be prepared for some work as well!
7 weeks ago!
Although if you have a silicone render it won't need repainting and it doesn't crack very easily.
It will go a fabulous colour very soon as the temperature drops.