Ivy-covered brick walls can bring a sense of timeless charm and natural beauty. However, if you have older brick structures, whether or not to grow climbing vines requires careful consideration. While vines can add curb appeal, they may also pose risks to the integrity of vintage masonry. This guide explores the pros and cons of growing ivy and other climbing vines on old brick, offering practical advice for those looking to add a touch of greenery to their historic homes.
Assessing Your Brick’s Condition
Before introducing any climbing plants to an older brick structure, evaluate the state of your masonry and determine whether the brickwork can safely support vine growth without risking damage.
Inspect Mortar
While vines don’t damage solid masonry, they can exploit existing weaknesses. You might even want to have your brickwork inspected by a professional experienced in historic preservation. Cementless mortar, common in homes built before the 1930s, has different properties than modern mortar and requires specialized knowledge to assess and repair properly.
Familiarize yourself with the type of mortar used and its potential vulnerabilities so you can monitor the brickwork’s condition over time. Look for signs of deterioration such as cracks, crumbling, missing mortar, and efflorescence. Take periodic photographs to help track changes and identify when repairs might be necessary.
Consider the Age of Your Home
The risk of damage from aggressive vines like English ivy is higher for older structures that may not include Portland cement in their mortar. As mortar wears away, these vines can infiltrate cracks and weaknesses. In extreme cases, removing well-established ivy from a deteriorating wall could potentially cause structural damage.
While some ivy-covered buildings have stood for over a century, approach vine growth on older homes with caution and weigh the aesthetic benefits against the potential long-term structural risks.
Choosing the Right Vines
Another way to make sure you can maintain the structural integrity of old brick masonry is to choose the right vines. Some vines are more suitable for older structures than others.
Consider Less-Aggressive Vines
If you’re determined to add greenery to your vintage brick walls, opting for less aggressive vine species can minimize potential damage. Boston ivy and Virginia creeper are popular choices for older buildings, as their adhesive suckers don’t attach as aggressively as some other vines.
While these vines still cling tightly to surfaces, they’re less likely to infiltrate cracks and crevices compared to more invasive species like English ivy. However, even these friendlier vines can still pull off loose mortar if the wall is already deteriorating.
Another good option is the cross vine, which climbs by coiling tendrils rather than using sticky aerial roots. Trumpet vine and passion flower also use tendrils to climb, though trumpet vine can spread invasively, and passion flowers may not attach neatly to walls.
Explore Non-Attaching Vines
For those concerned about potential damage to their masonry, non-attaching vines offer an alternative solution. Climbing roses, jasmine, clematis, and wisteria are beautiful options that twine up supports rather than clinging directly to surfaces.
These vines require the installation of a trellis, lattice, or wire system to support their growth. The advantage of this approach is that you can easily pull the vines away from the house for masonry inspection or repairs.
If you have enough space, you can train these vines onto arbors or pergolas, keeping them entirely off the home’s exterior. That way you can enjoy the lush greenery without risking damage to your brick structure.
Proper Installation and Maintenance
Once you’ve selected your vines, ensure the health of your plants and the integrity of your masonry with proper installation and ongoing maintenance.
Installing Support Structures
For non-attaching vines, install a sturdy support structure. This can be a trellis, wire system, or lattice attached to the wall. The support should be securely anchored but installed in a way that doesn’t damage the brick or mortar.
When installing supports, leave enough space between the structure and the wall to allow for air circulation. This gap helps prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mold growth or accelerate the deterioration of your masonry.
Diverse options for support structures mean you don’t have to compromise on either style or practical necessities. A beautifully crafted wrought-iron trellis can be a stunning addition to the home’s facade, blending function with artistry. Meanwhile, wire systems, although less conspicuous, offer greater flexibility and can support a range of vine types without dominating the visual landscape.
If your lot allows, you can also train these vines onto arbors or pergolas, keeping them completely off the home’s exterior. Just be sure to prune and train them carefully so they don’t obscure windows or invade gutters.
Pruning and Training
Regular pruning and training are crucial for maintaining both the appearance of the vines and the health of the underlying structure. Trim your vines back from windows, gutters, and roof areas to prevent damage.
During the growing season, prune suckers and wayward shoots to keep the vines under control. This maintains a neat appearance and stops the vines from getting into areas where they could cause damage.
Think about regional climate conditions and your vines’ growth patterns when making a pruning schedule. Early spring pruning might be better for rapid-growing species, while mid-season trims can help manage more aggressive plants. You can also train your vines to follow a specific growth pattern to protect your home and create an intentional design to enhance architectural elements.
Ongoing Inspection
Even with careful planning and maintenance, regularly inspect both your vines and the masonry. Check for any signs of new damage to mortar joints or bricks, especially in areas covered by dense foliage.
If issues develop, be prepared to remove vines from the affected areas promptly. While lush greenery can be appealing, it shouldn’t come at the cost of compromising the structural integrity of your home.
Seasonal changes should prompt your regular vine and masonry check-ups. Post-autumn inspections, for instance, let you handle repair projects during the winter months when vine growth has naturally slowed. Detailed inspection processes can uncover subtle signs of deterioration early, giving you a better opportunity to implement repairs.
Balancing Style and Preservation
Growing vines on old brick masonry requires striking a balance between enhancing a home’s appearance and preserving its structural integrity. With careful planning and ongoing care, you can enjoy the beauty of climbing vines without putting your vintage home at risk.
Strategic Coverage
Rather than allowing vines to cover every square inch of brick, use them strategically to highlight architectural features. Selective placement and regular trimming can create a neat, tidy look that enhances rather than obscures your home’s character.
For example, vines might be trained to frame windows or doorways, or used to soften the appearance of large, blank wall spaces. This approach allows the natural beauty of the brick to shine through while still benefiting from the added charm of climbing plants.
Practically, this means cultivating an intentional green-earth balance rather than a chaotic mesh of foliage. Favoring specific features or design intentions for vine growth makes the vines look like a deliberate choice rather than just appearing overgrown.
Alternatives To Direct Wall Coverage
If you’re hesitant about growing vines directly on your walls, there are other ways to incorporate climbing plants into your landscape. Freestanding trellises or arbors placed near the house can support greenery without risking damage to the masonry.
Another option is to use large planters with built-in trellises placed against the wall. This method lets you grow vertical vines while keeping their root systems contained and away from the foundation.
Use these alternative structures not only for vine growth but as architectural enhancements that tie together landscape elements. By choosing materials and designs that echo or complement the home’s brickwork, you can create a unified design that respects historical character and modern plant preferences.
FAQs About Growing Ivy on Brick
Mortar should be visually inspected each year for signs of wear, damage, or deterioration. Take pictures periodically to compare changes over time. Severely damaged areas may need a professional inspection every one to two years.
Cut the vines at ground level and detach and peel vines from the wall. Use a scrapper or pressure washer to gently remove clinging roots or suckers. Removing vines is labor intensive but necessary for inspection and repairs.
Prune vines back from the roof and windows and clear areas in the early spring. Prune again in the midsummer to trim growth. Prune damaged or wayward vines as needed. Fertilize in early spring. Check monthly for issues, and trim vines from walls every one to two years to inspect.
Yes, repair the mortar first before covering walls with vines. Repairs may alter the appearance, so it’s best not to install vines prematurely. Prioritize structural integrity over aesthetics with an older home. Vines can be added later once the walls are restored.
It’s best to use ivy and other clinging vines sparingly and strategically. Completely obscuring architectural details with greenery isn’t recommended. Also, inspect and maintain any covered areas diligently. I recommend following strict moderation and maintenance practices.
