Boston Ivy has much more solid foliage - that's the Virginia creeper. Lovely in the right location
I wouldn't consider them invasive, but they do get very big and will cover a huge area if the conditions suit them, so you need a large house wall to do them justice. You just prune to keep them in the right place.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you Dave Morgan and Fairygirl. I'm looking for something to cover a fence and this is looking so virbrant at the moment, so I'm considering it. It must be controllable as the garden it's in is only about 30-40 ft long.
"Self-clinging climbers such as Boston ivy and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus sp.) do not usually cause damage to wall surfaces, but common or English ivy (Hedera helix sp.) supports itself by aerial roots and where these penetrate cracks or joints they may cause structural damage."
Well in the first pic aym280, it's growing up the neighbour's brick garage and tumbling over my son's party fence but the fence seems ok. My son has only lived there for a year, but I think the neighbours have been there about 20 and seem to be keen gardeners judging from their front garden, so don't think they'd have it if it caused damage. I think the more common green ivy is quite invasive and more damaging.
Just had my hedge cutter man remove the Virginia creeper on the house. Despite keeping it to training wires this year it had decided to take over the world - gutters, chimney , security light and satellite dish. House looks quite bare without it though.
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Parthenocissus, although which one is another matter. Several varieties some called Boston ivy or Virginia creeper, the most common is the latter.
Boston Ivy has much more solid foliage - that's the Virginia creeper. Lovely in the right location
I wouldn't consider them invasive, but they do get very big and will cover a huge area if the conditions suit them, so you need a large house wall to do them justice. You just prune to keep them in the right place.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you Dave Morgan and Fairygirl. I'm looking for something to cover a fence and this is looking so virbrant at the moment, so I'm considering it. It must be controllable as the garden it's in is only about 30-40 ft long.
Last edited: 07 October 2016 16:57:40
"Self-clinging climbers such as Boston ivy and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus sp.) do not usually cause damage to wall surfaces, but common or English ivy (Hedera helix sp.) supports itself by aerial roots and where these penetrate cracks or joints they may cause structural damage."
From the RHS advice page https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=258
Well in the first pic aym280, it's growing up the neighbour's brick garage and tumbling over my son's party fence but the fence seems ok. My son has only lived there for a year, but I think the neighbours have been there about 20 and seem to be keen gardeners judging from their front garden, so don't think they'd have it if it caused damage. I think the more common green ivy is quite invasive and more damaging.
Just had my hedge cutter man remove the Virginia creeper on the house. Despite keeping it to training wires this year it had decided to take over the world - gutters, chimney , security light and satellite dish. House looks quite bare without it though.
Thank you Tetley, I'll have a Google first and take a look before I visit my local nursery.