Virginia Creeper (or Boston Ivy) is a fantastic choice for adding some lush greenery to your exterior walls, fences, or pergolas. But before you get digging, there are a few things you need to know to get it right. One of the most important factors for a healthy, thriving vine is getting the spacing just right.
Different Ways to Grow Your Vine
The ideal spacing for your Virginia Creeper really depends on what you’re trying to achieve in your garden. You’ll want to adjust your plan based on whether you’re growing it:
- As a standalone focal point in the garden.
- To cover pergolas, exterior walls, or stone fences.
- As a thick, leafy privacy screen.
Spacing Between Multiple Vines
When you’re planting more than one vine, you’ve got to give them some breathing room. Generally speaking, a single plant is usually enough to cover a decent-sized wall or pergola over time. However, if you’re looking for faster coverage and want to plant several side-by-side, aim for a distance of about six feet (two meters) apart. This gives each plant enough space to establish itself while still ensuring they’ll eventually grow together into a seamless green carpet.
Keeping Your Distance from Other Plants
Don’t forget about your other garden residents! Virginia Creeper is a vigorous grower that spreads both up and out. If you plant it too close to delicate shrubs or perennials, it might just swallow them whole. To keep your garden beds balanced, maintain a buffer of about six feet between your vine and any other plants you don’t want covered by those wandering tendrils.
Spacing Near Buildings and Structures
If you’re planning to grow your vine on a freestanding trellis or arbor, keep an eye on how close it is to your house or shed. Unless you want the vine to “jump” onto your siding or roof, make sure there’s enough clearance so the reaching arms don’t accidentally grab onto things they shouldn’t.
A Few Extra Precautions
When you’re using Virginia Creeper to green up walls or pergolas, you’ve got to be a bit of a “vine whisperer.” Keep those shoots away from shutters, gutters, and roof tiles. These vines have some serious grip, and once they latch on, they can be a real pain to remove and might even cause a bit of damage to your home’s exterior. A little proactive pruning goes a long way!
