I don't think it is capable of actually damaging a tree, but when it spreads widely it looks unsightly. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. You’ll also need to frequently train and trim these vines even though they’re growing on supports. Fallopia baldschuanica, aka Russian vine, aka mile-a-minute, is a devil of a climber. It will take over the whole garden and possibly the street if unchecked. Ivy is ideal for all-year coverage, but don't forget that once it has covered the eyesore it will carry on growing. Whether growing by twining tendrils or sticky aerial roots, any vine will take advantage of small cracks or crevices to anchor themselves to the surface they are growing on. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. It will grow like fury, can reach the roof of a two storey house in one season, making its way up anything in reach such as drainpipes and aerial wires, around which it will wrap its stems. Keep it trimmed away from window frames and the roof eaves. You can use trellises, lattice, metal grids or mesh, strong wires or even string. That ivy covered masonry of old was actually damaging. It is good to get vines away from the house structure, for they not only damage the walls but also create an environment for mold and mildew. Even if you are unable to spray the vine roots, cutting them will prevent damage. ... its roots won't damage the foundations. Etymology. Nothing is quite as picturesque as a house covered in English ivy. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Read more articles about Ornamental Vines General Care. What you use should be based upon what vine you are growing, as certain vines can be heavier and denser than others. Read more about Ornamental Vines General Care. As for specifically harming your brick, I don't think it will cause any harm. Incongruous extensions are enhanced as the brickwork mellows under a facade of greenery. Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts. Ivy has always had a bad press - being self-clinging it digs into mortar and pulls off rendering. Most notorious is the "mile-a-minute" Russian vine, sometimes sold to unsuspecting householders as polygonum baldschuanicum. The Ivy did NOT hurt the brick or mortar HOWEVER it leaves hairlike cemented residue that we cannot remove. The vine also has a spread of 50 feet, and it does not care how large your garden is; it will grow to its allotted 50 feet no matter whose garden it’s in. For a longer-term view, wistaria, honeysuckle, clematis, rose or passion flower are more controllable and will not smother other plants. For roof terraces and yards plant wistaria, clematis and passion flower in pots. Ivy is a woody stemmed, self-clinging climber that can grow quickly to cover fences, walls and buildings. As expected, it sold in no time. This moisture can lead to mold, mildew and rot on the home itself. The well-known house wall damager ivy climbs by growing little roots into the wall joints, russian vine will not do this. The best way to grow vines up a home is to grow them not directly on the home itself but on a support set about 6-8 inches out from the home’s siding. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. Keep them cut back away from any gutters and shingles. I had no idea! Later in the year, winter jasmine produces masses of white or yellow flowers. I've seen to many walls where the ivy has done considerable damage. Excessive vine growth can exacerbate cracks in brick or mortar, or damage a home’s paint job. Be sure to place any vine support at least 6-8 inches away from the home for proper air circulation. Incongruous extensions are enhanced as the brickwork mellows under a facade of greenery. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Newer houses most need the camouflage, and fortunately they cope far better with self-clingers such as ivy, creepers or climbing hydrangeas. Jasmine flowers intermittently in summer and autumn, and planted with the winter variety you'll have colour even in the snow. How to have wall damage cured after removing invasive climbing plants. How do you trim a Mile a Minute Vine(Russian Vine or Silver Fleece Vine)? Vines with sticky aerial roots can damage stucco, paint and already weakened brick or masonry. Whether growing by twining tendrils or sticky aerial roots, any vine will take advantage of small cracks or crevices to anchor themselves to the surface they are growing on. Yes, it does look pretty and it won't damage it fast, but over time it will damage your brick. Personally I'd find something different to disguise the ugly pipes - put up trellising in front or around them and grow something you know wont wreak the wall given half a chance. I have rooted many cutting using the culled pieces. The biggest question is how do vines damage siding or shingles. 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Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Choose a well behaved vine suitable for the location (you didn't give us info on sun/shade/moist/dry, etc.). I keep getting conflicting advice as to whether it would cause any damage. Vines with sticky aerial roots can damage stucco, paint and already weakened brick or masonry. To answer this question, you need to understand the consequences of leaving or removing plant growth. The rootlets that allow it to cling to vertical surfaces may damage the mortar between bricks. Another concern about growing vines on siding is that they create moisture between the plant and home. 0 0. anash. As one horticulturist put it: "You plant it and run for cover!". Will wisteria damage the foundations of your house? Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? Vines can slip beneath spaces in between siding and shingles and ultimately pull them away from the home. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. A large detached country house may cope with a rampant honeysuckle, but a terraced cottage will be swamped. The genus name Hedera is the Classical Latin word for ivy, which is cognate with Ancient Greek χανδάνω (khandánō) "to get, grasp", both deriving ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʰed- "to seize, grasp, take". It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. It can and probably will damage the brick over time. If the damage is severe, replacement may be warranted. ... ADDED: NO it won't damage your brickwork - it has never damaged mine and mine is 7 years old now - just be wary of it growing into loft space though! Wistaria takes five to seven years to produce its spectacular flowers. The little roots are likely to penetrate into the mortar and push it apart. It must be one, if not the most accomodating climbing plant in the garden. From eye-catching to eyesore in an afternoon. Although well-built masonry can tolerate the growth of ivy, weakened brick walls with crumbling mortar or loose bricks give ivy roots an opportunity to invade crevices. But in autumn, a house covered with flaming red Virginia creeper takes some beating. Damage limitation? Just be sure to monitor the area and keep new growth under control. Use the vine to hide unsightly fences structures or landscape features. Virginia creeper and Boston ivy are rampant climbers, responsible for probably the most dramatic transformations. The Building Research Establishment booklet "Bird, Bee and Plant Damage to Buildings" reports: "Those concerned with the preservation of ancient buildings and churches are unanimous in the view that ivy should not be allowed to grow on walls. You must choose the right plant. Often masonry will require repointing, and wooden elements may need repair or consolidation. Plastic drainpipes, stack pipes and tanks will need netting or trellis even for self-clingers. I wouldn't let it grow on the wall. However, it turns out climbing plants actually protect against excessive humidity by keeping rain off the wall to start with. Ivy (English Ivy) General Information. Modern mortar is a bit stronger, but if your brick has any damage a self-climbing vine may not be right for you. Considerable patience will be needed not to sacrifice the lot. Native to California, California grape (Vitis californica "Russian River") is a striking vine that thrives in Mediterranean-type climates. But it is useful on isolated buildings and will smother an eyesore with pale green foliage and greenish-white flower sprays. ", Read our full mailing list consent terms here. 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