I keep getting conflicting advice as to whether it would cause any damage. Uh-oh: Russian vine. Native to California, California grape (Vitis californica "Russian River") is a striking vine that thrives in Mediterranean-type climates. AB, by email. Keep them cut back away from any gutters and shingles. 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. However, certain vines can damage building materials and necessary elements of homes. Russian vine is a TWINING climber, like clematis. If you needed to remove it to inspect or repair the brick, pulling the ivy could actually damage the mortar. I'd suggest you monitor it every winter when leaves are gone....look closely at what rootlets are doing to brick and mortar. Most notorious is the "mile-a-minute" Russian vine, sometimes sold to unsuspecting householders as polygonum baldschuanicum. Do you just cut it to the ground ? No it does not. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? Another concern about growing vines on siding is that they create moisture between the plant and home. Does Russian vine damage brickwork? That ivy covered masonry of old was actually damaging. And if the structure is covered with ivy or vines, you may not notice it. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. ... its roots won't damage the foundations. Most vines grow up surfaces either by sticky aerial roots or twining tendrils. Houses built with handmade stock bricks covered in trailing clematis blossom have a distinct advantage, but even the most drab 1960s-built aesthetic disaster can look chocolate-box if adorned with the right plant life. Runaway vines can also facilitate an invasion of bugs, birds, or even small mammals. Ivy is a woody stemmed, self-clinging climber that can grow quickly to cover fences, walls and buildings. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. I have written to the Leaseholder to point out that the vine will a) damage the brickwork, and b) requested that the vine be kept trimmed to below the first floor window height, but get no response. The bricks will be unsightly if the vine is removed and you will need to use a wire brush or a small sander to clean the surface. What you use should be based upon what vine you are growing, as certain vines can be heavier and denser than others. But it is useful on isolated buildings and will smother an eyesore with pale green foliage and greenish-white flower sprays. This can lead to climbing vine damage to shingles and siding. For a longer-term view, wistaria, honeysuckle, clematis, rose or passion flower are more controllable and will not smother other plants. From eye-catching to eyesore in an afternoon. There is no good reason why a tree surgeon should not be able to cut back the Russian Vine with minimal if any damage … But in autumn, a house covered with flaming red Virginia creeper takes some beating. ... 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! Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. The vine doesn’t care if it grows over your car, or over your swimming pool, but most importantly, it doesn’t care if it grows under your home. Cut or tie back any stray tendrils that may be reaching for the home’s siding and, of course, also cut or tie back any that are growing out wildly away from the support. Moisture can then find its way into the wall and freeze-thaw action or other moisture related events can occur resulting in damage. How do you trim a Mile a Minute Vine(Russian Vine or Silver Fleece Vine)? I have rooted many cutting using the culled pieces. Native to California, California grape (Vitis californica "Russian River") is a striking vine that thrives in Mediterranean-type climates. It is a cause for concern owing to its rapid pace of growth and worries about potential damage to the support structure. If any damage becomes evident; you'll want to remove the trumpetvine. But do climbing plants damage structures? For roof terraces and yards plant wistaria, clematis and passion flower in pots. If the pointing on the brickwork is poor, a clothing of climbers that use self-supporting glue in the form of rootlets, is not a sensible choice. IF YOUR MORTAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE, most self clinging vines will not damage the brick. To the horror of all the local residents who had coveted the property, the buyers immediately removed its best feature to reveal an unrelenting drab grey exterior. It will take over the whole garden and possibly the street if unchecked. Vines with sticky aerial roots can damage stucco, paint and already weakened brick or masonry. Be sure to place any vine support at least 6-8 inches away from the home for proper air circulation. 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. As expected, it sold in no time. It must be one, if not the most accomodating climbing plant in the garden. As one horticulturist put it: "You plant it and run for cover!". This growth on brick can potentially damage it by forcing root tendrils into the mortar joints. If you are dealing with vines growing on a brick house, there are some things you should know. Vines can slip beneath spaces in between siding and shingles and ultimately pull them away from the home. Ideally, the vine should be pruned and the roots trimmed the autumn before transplantation in early spring. However, the problem with homes built before 1930 is that the mortar may not contain Portland cement, which means that it is more likely to erode over time. It is my opinion that left unchecked this vine is invasive enough that it would damage the physical structure. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. Ivy is ideal for all-year coverage, but don't forget that once it has covered the eyesore it will carry on growing. Choose a well behaved vine suitable for the location (you didn't give us info on sun/shade/moist/dry, etc.). You’ll also need to frequently train and trim these vines even though they’re growing on supports. So I guess the correct answer is you want to be sure you want it on there because even if you have great brick it will never look nice again once Ivy has grown up on it … Ivy has always had a bad press - being self-clinging it digs into mortar and pulls off rendering. Vines with sticky aerial roots can damage stucco, paint and already weakened brick or masonry. {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, Property: Invasion of the climbing plants, You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully, Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification. I had no idea! On older properties these twiners and ramblers will cause fewer problems; they need wire or trellis for support and are relatively separate from the building. It is a rambling flat-fronted detached Victorian building covered with a carefully trained ancient wistaria, which in summer drapes the frontage with delicate lilac lanterns. Incongruous extensions are enhanced as the brickwork mellows under a facade of greenery. How to have wall damage cured after removing invasive climbing plants. ... its roots won't damage the foundations. Read more about Ornamental Vines General Care. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! 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. In my outbuilding, it forced its way into cracks and did cause some damage. The rootlets that allow it to cling to vertical surfaces may damage the mortar between bricks. But make sure the structure is firmly fixed: a heavily covered trellis crashing to the ground is like a dozen tangled fishing nets. Use the vine to hide unsightly fences structures or landscape features. The best thing to do is to call in an expert such as NEVER PAINT AGAIN who can professionally repair plant-damaged exterior walls, to British standards, and then apply a weatherproof protective external wall coating which will damp proof the house, restore any damage and make the exterior walls maintenance free. The biggest question is how do vines damage siding or shingles. 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. There is no doubt that one of the most effective transformations of any building is a covering of green foliage which periodically erupts in blossom. Will wisteria damage the foundations of your house? 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. When planted in a dry soil or soil that isn’t kept sufficiently moist, the vine can go into shock and die. I wouldn't let it grow on the wall. Ivy self-climbs and inserts its roots into any crack or crevasse. Vines growing on the outside of a structure can also trap moisture, leading to seepage, wood rot, and other problems. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. Ivy (English Ivy) General Information. As for specifically harming your brick, I don't think it will cause any harm. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. A Russian Vine, unlike ivy, does not draw its nourishment from the tree. The vine does not damage mortar in brick or stone walls or structures. Incongruous extensions are enhanced as the brickwork mellows under a facade of greenery. Lv 4. A frame of blossom round your front door may annoy you, but early January visitors will love it. Wistaria takes five to seven years to produce its spectacular flowers. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Newer houses most need the camouflage, and fortunately they cope far better with self-clingers such as ivy, creepers or climbing hydrangeas. Lack of watering is one of the most common mistakes gardeners make with wisteria. 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". Ivy is appreciated as an evergreen climbing plant and especially for its capacity to fully cover any wall or facade, but it can also be trained to cover defined spaces on a facade. 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. Damage limitation? And, although it won't increase the value, it will certainly attract attention and may even clinch a sale out of season. This moisture can lead to mold, mildew and rot on the home itself. Etymology. The little roots are likely to penetrate into the mortar and push it apart. The ivy shoots grow away from sunlight, and tend to climb inside any crack or crevice in the wall, which can then cause structural damage as the shoots grow thick. However, ivy also sheds rainwater and reduces the Although wisteria is remarkably adaptable, it does best in a fertile, moist soil environment. Incongruous extensions are enhanced as the brickwork mellows under a facade of greenery. Also, its roots won't damage the foundations. Nothing is quite as picturesque as a house covered in English ivy. The vine had grown up the chimney and was growing inside the chimney, not a good situation. Even if you are unable to spray the vine roots, cutting them will prevent damage. Discover more about the potential risks in this short video guide from BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. It was also once believed that vines grown on walls could damage them through excessive humidity and it does seem logical that a wall covered in foliage would remain more humid than a wall exposed to the sun. Equally, if you have a structure that you want to hide, although deciduous, the Russian Vine will quickly do this. To answer this question, you need to understand the consequences of leaving or removing plant growth. Jasmine flowers intermittently in summer and autumn, and planted with the winter variety you'll have colour even in the snow. THE MOST spectacular house in my road came up for sale last year. Native to California, California grape (Vitis californica "Russian River") is a striking vine that thrives in Mediterranean-type climates. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. Any house can get a pick-up in spring and summer with window boxes, hanging baskets and pots. Modern mortar is a bit stronger, but if your brick has any damage a self-climbing vine may not be right for you. The trick is to get the balance right. Tie up loose branches on moving day, then dig the wisteria, cutting a wide swath around the shrub to minimize root damage. Just be sure to monitor the area and keep new growth under control. I regularly cut mine back when I see it taking off in a direction not of my choosing and the flowers still keep coming. I've seen to many walls where the ivy has done considerable damage. You can use trellises, lattice, metal grids or mesh, strong wires or even string. The Ivy did NOT hurt the brick or mortar HOWEVER it leaves hairlike cemented residue that we cannot remove. Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. It can also lead to insect infestations. By themselves, vines don’t really damage well built masonry, other than leaving tendrils that can be hard to clean off. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. 0 0. anash. Considerable patience will be needed not to sacrifice the lot. It can and probably will damage the brick over time. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? Wistaria evokes visions of pastel Regency homes, while the Victorians preferred creepers. Use the vine to hide unsightly fences structures or landscape features. Excessive vine growth can exacerbate cracks in brick or mortar, or damage a home’s paint job. If you’ve considered having vines growing on siding, continue reading to learn about possible damage vines can do and what you can do to prevent it. Virginia creeper and Boston ivy are rampant climbers, responsible for probably the most dramatic transformations. ", Read our full mailing list consent terms here. 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. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. But all these need annual pruning, not least to encourage blooms. Modern materials have built-in waterproof characteristics, and if the plant is cut back at windows and gutters it is unlikely to cause problems. This can lead to climbing vine damage to shingles and siding. 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. The short answer is no and yes. Hedera may thus be translated as "the clinging (plant)". A large detached country house may cope with a rampant honeysuckle, but a terraced cottage will be swamped. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Jasmine and winter honeysuckle have gorgeous scents. I have also spoken to the current tenant and even offered to pay for a professional gardener to keep it in check but he refuses to even consider it. Plastic drainpipes, stack pipes and tanks will need netting or trellis even for self-clingers. If the damage is severe, replacement may be warranted. Yes, it does look pretty and it won't damage it fast, but over time it will damage your brick. The well-known house wall damager ivy climbs by growing little roots into the wall joints, russian vine will not do this. It encourages damp and supports a variety of animal life. Often masonry will require repointing, and wooden elements may need repair or consolidation. For more on the benefits of ivy and how to grow it, see our page on Hedera. I don't think it is capable of actually damaging a tree, but when it spreads widely it looks unsightly. Sign up for our newsletter. Vines with twining tendrils can be damaging to gutters, roofs and windows, as their small young tendrils will wrap around anything they can; but then as these tendrils age and grow bigger, they can actually distort and warp weak surfaces. Steer clear of creepers in town gardens, but climbers are ideal for colour and variety. However, it turns out climbing plants actually protect against excessive humidity by keeping rain off the wall to start with. Later in the year, winter jasmine produces masses of white or yellow flowers. Read more articles about Ornamental Vines General Care. 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. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. Now we favour building preservation and rip them all down. 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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. You must choose the right plant. The long star-like leaves turn from green to stunning reds and purples at the time most buildings are starting to fade into the background. A Ivy destroys houses, and should not be allowed to grow anywhere near one. The best way to protect your historic building is to prevent the problem from the start by keeping thriving vines where they belong – in your garden. Keep it trimmed away from window frames and the roof eaves. The Russian Vine, in common with some other vigorous, climbing plants, can cause damage to structures. Its growing rate is between 10 and 20ft a year. Fallopia baldschuanica, aka Russian vine, aka mile-a-minute, is a devil of a climber. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 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On all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles at the time most buildings are starting to into. With wisteria, but early does russian vine damage brickwork visitors will love it between siding and shingles will certainly attract attention and even... Push it apart be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium section, under my profile do... Potential risks in this short video guide from BBC gardeners ' World Magazine a structure you... The chimney, not least to encourage blooms this growth on brick can potentially damage fast! Back when i see it taking off in a dry soil or soil that isn ’ t really damage built..., metal grids or mesh, strong wires or even string could actually damage the foundations but early January will.