Part of the Parthenocissus family, Virginia Creeper (often just called Wild Grape) is a total classic for covering house walls, old brickwork, and pergolas. It’s a fast grower and looks stunning, but if you’re planning to let it climb your home, there are a few things you should know first.
Using Virginia Creeper to Green Up Your Walls
Virginia Creeper is a fantastic choice for adding some life to your exterior walls. The real showstopper happens in the fall, when the leaves turn a brilliant, fiery red that’ll make your house the talk of the neighborhood.
Treillises for Your House Walls
If you only want to cover a small section of your wall, or if you’ve picked a variety that isn’t a “self-clinger,” you’ll definitely want to install a trellis. This gives you total control, allowing you to guide and tie down the vines exactly where you want them to go.
Caring for Your Vines
Taking care of Virginia Creeper on a wall is actually pretty straightforward. Just keep these tips in mind:
- Try to plant it on the sunny side of the house for the best colors.
- Give it regular water while it’s getting established, but make sure the soil drains well—it doesn’t like “wet feet.”
- You usually don’t need to worry about extra fertilizer.
- Keep it in check with regular pruning. Whether you do a light trim or a major cutback, staying on top of it prevents the plant from taking over.
Watch Out for Potential Wall Damage
Here’s the “heads up” part: as beautiful as these vines are, they can be a bit tough on your siding or masonry. If your wall already has tiny cracks in the brickwork or stucco, those little suckers and tendrils can find their way in and make the cracks bigger. Also, keep a close eye on your shutters and gutters—this plant grows fast and will try to swallow them if you let it!
Removing Virginia Creeper from Your Walls
If you have the self-climbing variety, be warned: those little suction-cup “feet” (adhesive discs) are incredibly stubborn. While you can pull the vines off the wall relatively easily, those little discs often break off and stay stuck to the masonry. Sometimes, using a specialized cleaner is the only way to get the wall completely clean again.
Don’t forget the roots, either! You’ll want to dig them all out, as they can potentially cause issues with the foundation if left unchecked—and they’re notorious for sprouting right back up if even a little bit is left behind.
