Comments on: The Right Type of Ivy to Plant Near a Wall

By: mary rogers

mary rogers — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:50:15 +0000

We have a brick house and carriage house with a lot of tall walls. This is too much hard surface. We have planted english ivy anf love the effect. It does involve some effort as we keep it cut away from the gutters and the roof line and around windows, etc.. I am thinking of planting crossvine as it is supposed to stay green in zone 6 in the winter.

By: Barbara Bilyeu

Barbara Bilyeu — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:01:06 +0000

Ahhh, reminds me of my horror story. I planted ONE English Ivy start at the base of the fireplace years and years ago. It looked wonderful climbing the side of the house….until it grew down the fireplace – up through the wall (a plant with no bowl) and separated the roof from the house and the house from the fireplace. Then the fun of repairs and trying to kill it. It was a NIGHTMARE and how our marriage made it through that mistake I will never know. Never English ivy ANYWHERE.

By: Anne Wareham

Anne Wareham — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 09:30:00 +0000

I have grown English ivy on our house walls for 20 years: it keeps the walls warm and dry and the roots are in the ground (there are no roots on ivy above ground).

Have to keep it out of drains.

It is problematic as ground cover because it is impossible to kill once established….

By: Marta Ratajszczak

Marta Ratajszczak — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:19:16 +0000

“Because boston ivy uses suckers it doesn’t really damage what it climbs on, though it can hurt painted surfaces. ”

A well-preserved wall shouldn’t be in trouble because of this. However, once you want to get rid of the vine, it will certainly need repainting, the suckers are nearly impossible to remove!

By: Al Braun

Al Braun — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:34:22 +0000

If you’ve planted the wrong climber, then what? I’ve been trying to get rid of some vinca that just won’t go away.

By: Scentsy Wickless Candles

Scentsy Wickless Candles — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:06:29 +0000

I think it is also important to recognize another vine that I mistakenly purchased thinking it would have the same appearance as the beautiful Boston Ivy. It is the Virginia Creeper, which should be avoided at all costs. Although it is a rapid grower and covers an area quickly it can get very invasive.

By: Garden People

Garden People — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:54:56 +0000

I have lots of walls to cover. I did start out with Clematis but it does not provide as much cover as ivy. Great article thanks

By: Amy @ As Seen on TV

Amy @ As Seen on TV — Sun, 30 May 2010 21:10:04 +0000

This was very helpful. I just purchased a new home and wanted to grow some ivy by my front entrance. Definitely not buying English ivy.

By: Emma Watson

Emma Watson — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:28:59 +0000

Thanks a lot for those tips. We have just bought a small old weekend house and I am planning to cover at least one wall with ivy.

By: Joseph Tychonievich

Joseph Tychonievich — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:01:05 +0000

Good points! I’m growing a stunning variegated boston ivy up my fence, and just love. I want to cover my whole house in it as well!