Vines
How to Grow Gorgeous Climbing Vines On Your House
Which types to plant, and which to stay away from.
Which types to plant, and which to stay away from.
while vines don't require tons of skill, they do require a little patience and careful consideration to make sure you're choosing the right type. It takes time and a little effort to train vines up walls, and there are some types you should never plant. "Some vines can be invasive and are not recommended,"
It's also important to note that, like most things, climbing vines take time to mature. A vine-draped home is not going to happen overnight! "The rate at which a vine can cover a wall very much depends on the type of vine used, and the size of the wall.
Planting vines to climb up your house is a long-term commitment, not an overnight transformation. But if you're patient and choose the right plant, you’ll be rewarded with dreamy vine-covered walls in a few years.
Vines climb by supporting themselves with twining stem, aerial rootlets, or adhesive disks—and you have to know what kind of support your vine of choice needs. "It's crucial to match the support system with how the vines climbs
Twining plants need a sturdy support with narrow 'bars' that they can wind around." This means you'll want to have a trellis, lattice, or ironwork for plants such as honeysuckle, kiwi vine, and bougainvillea to climb up.
Will climbing vines damage my walls?
Homes with vinyl siding, wood siding, and wood shingles should be kept vine-free because the tendrils can creep underneath or between slats, causing them to pull away from the home, introducing moisture beneath the siding.
What are the best vines to train up a wall?
Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris) has good shade tolerance, lovely flowers, and foliage that stays pretty even in the heat; it is self-clinging, says Cervoni.
Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a tough, fast-growing evergreen vine that has beautiful bright yellow spring flowers; it’s tolerant of light shade. It’s twining, so it needs a support or trellis, says Cervoni.
Kiwi vine (Actinidia kolomikta) is an unconventional choice with fragrant flowers and pretty variegation, says Niemiec.
Roses (Rosa), such as New Dawn, require a tad more upkeep and will need support, such as a trellis. But they're a beautiful, fragrant addition to any garden space, says Cervoni.
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea) has tiny white flowers surrounded by gorgeous, papery bracts in bright colors. It's a stunning perennial vine in warm climates. "It needs a little help from you to climb," says Niemiec. You'll need to guide it up a trellis, then check its growth periodically so that it continues to twine in the direction you want.
Clematis (Clematis) is available in many different varieties and colors; its petioles, the little stem that connects the leaf to the main stem, wrap around the support structure, so it needs narrow upright supports such as heavy-duty coated wire to climb, says Niemiec.
What vines should you avoid training up a wall?
There are several vines that aren't a good idea to plant because they are considered invasive or will damage your home’s surface. Many of these still are sold at nurseries and online, so read labels and look for the botanical name to be sure about what you’re buying.
Vines you should avoid planting to climb your home’s walls include:
English ivy (Hedera helix) can damage mortar and become invasive, says Cervoni. If you love the look of ivy, stick to it as a potted houseplant, where it won't take over—although it may start breeding spider mites.
Wisteria, including Wisteria sinensis and Wisteria floribunda, is considered invasive. If you have your heart set on wisteria, use the native North American species, Wisteria frutescens, says Niemiec. 'Amethyst Falls' is a popular native variety.
Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a vigorous climber that can become a maintenance nightmare, says Niemiec.
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) can become invasive in a garden and also spread by wind to open natural areas where it can take over, says Cervoni.