Wall growing plant? What is it?

[Damon]

Hi everyone. The property myself and my partner are about to renovate/ restore shortly has quite a large plant growing up the side of the brick/stonework.

I really like it but I'm pretty sure it'll have to go on account of it potentially damaging the brickwork. I'm no expert though so hopefully someone with more knowledge can point me in the right direction.

Does anyone know what plant this is exactly and can it be kept?

Thanks in advance.

Damon + Jen

 

[RedGables]

I'm no expert, but it does look quite similar to the creeper that grows up the side of our house. I thought the same as you about damage, but it's been there for much longer than we've been in the house without any negative effects as far as I can see. Long term it can't be good though...and sweeping up the leaves when they fall can be hard work!

 

[JBean]

It looks like Boston ivy to me - Parthenocissus tricuspidata It is very beautiful and very vigorous! You definitely need to keep it out of gutters / roof space etc but pulling it off the wall will probably do more damage than leaving it be. For bits you want to remove, it's best to cut the stems and then leave the part above the cut to die and eventually its suckers will let go.

 

[Pennyviz]

Virginia creeper to me. is that the same as Boston Ivy?

Penny

 

[JBean]

An examination of the leaves would confirm which it is. Boston ivy has leaves with 3 lobes, Virginia creeper - Parthenocissus quinquefolia - has five 'fingers'. Much the same advice applies - beautiful climbers but need managing.

 

[Damon]

Thank you very much for your quick replies. Here's a better/ closer picture if it helps.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Boston Ivy and Virginia Creeper are two different plants having the gorgeous leaf colour in common. Boston Ivy has little pads on the twigs, these stick to the brickwork and do not do much damage to the mortar, whereas Virginia Creeper can be a bit of a problem. Both are very strong fast growing and of course need to be kept out of the gutters and off the roof , in the right place absolutely fabulous plants!

 

[88v8]

Pretty in the autumn.
It doesn't adhere to the wall nearly as strongly as ivy. Won't do any damage, but trim it regularly off the window frames as part of your garden routine, or it will leave footrprints on the paintwork.

Prune back in winter/spring.
If you cut it about 18" short of the roof, that will allow for summer regrowth.

Established plants are or should be, one of the benefits of a period house. They represent something that money cannot buy - time.

Ivor

 

[Damon]

Thanks very much for your replies. I did try and post a second picture but it takes so long to get my posts authorised and put on the forum. Hopefully once I have a few posts they stop having to be approved each time...


Glad that the growing plant is a Boston Ivy and able to be kept and maintained. It really adds to the house so we're both really pleased that it doesn't have to go.

Once again, we appreciate the help and advice.

Damon

 

[JBean]

Damon, hi

Just seen your photo with the close-up of the leaf, and in fact Pennyviz is right - it's Virginia Creeper, not Boston ivy; see the five 'fingers' that make up each leaf. Still, a lovely thing, and certainly a keeper so long as you show it who's boss!

 

[Penners]

Yup, definitely Virginia Creeper. A very beautiful thug!

Does the wall need repointing? If it does, then take a deep breath and tear all the creeper off the wall, down to a few shoots a foot or two above ground*. Then get the wall repointed.

The VC will almost probably back as aggressively as ever (well, ours did, anyway!). This time be sure to keep it in check by regularly cutting back side shoots so that it doesn't dominate the wall.

* If you want to have an insurance policy for the plant, try layering a few of the shoots, in order to propagate replacements in case you need them. Here's how: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=358

 

[paulc]

* If you want to have an insurance policy for the plant, try layering a few of the shoots, in order to propagate replacements in case you need them. Here's how: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=358

Trust me, you don't need to try propagating it by layering. Next door had one covering the side & front of their house and it hopped over the wall to my side. They have since built quite a substantial extension and rendered from top to bottom. The VC that is lurking my side of the wall keeps trying to return to its original home but is foiled by the expanse of block paving that was put down when the extension was built.

One day, I'll put some paving down my side and take the opportunity to evict the thug for good.

 

[Damon]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll have a fight on my hands

I'm not sure if the wall needs repointing as of yet as we haven't moved it yet unfortunately. The first chance I get however I'll have a good look and decide the fate of this climber.

Thanks for all your comments. Really appreciated and I'm learning every day