Potential Issues with Vining Plants on Brick Walls: Essential Information Before Attaching a Climber
In the quest to beautify your home's exterior, climbing plants can be a wonderful addition. However, it's essential to maintain a balance between aesthetic appeal and structural safety. Here's a guide on how to grow climbing plants without damaging your brickwork.
First and foremost, install a support framework. Trellises, wire frameworks, or lattice panels, securely attached but slightly away from the brick surface, serve this purpose perfectly. By keeping plants off the wall, you reduce the risk of damp and promote airflow [1][3][4].
When choosing climbing plants, opt for those that require support and training. Species such as clematis, climbing roses, star jasmine, and passionflower are ideal, as they don't cling using invasive rootlets, thus reducing the chance of damage to bricks [1][5].
Regular maintenance and training are crucial. As plants grow, gently tie them to the support and train the canes horizontally or diagonally on the framework to control growth and encourage healthy blooms [2][5].
It's advisable to avoid planting directly against the wall. Instead, leave a gap or use supports that prevent direct contact between climbing plants and the brickwork.
When attaching frameworks to the wall, use suitable fixings that minimize damage. For instance, hooks or eye bolts set into mortar joints rather than bricks can be a better option [1].
Growing wisteria, a popular climber, in a pot can protect foundations and pipes from potential damage. However, wisteria requires proper training to prevent thick, woody stems from damaging brickwork. Old pipes, water tanks, and septic tanks are at risk from wisteria roots [1].
It's important to monitor the condition of walls regularly and fix any cracks or broken mortar to prevent plant roots from causing damage. Homeowners are responsible for maintaining their property in good condition, and damage by plants is not covered by insurance [6].
Growing plants up a wire or garden trellis helps maximize airflow and protect homes from damp. Garden Wire and Pruning Sheers are necessary for maintaining climbing plants on a trellis or wire frame. A green pine trellis from B&Q can be used for growing a free-climbing plant on a trellis [7].
Climbing plants, such as ivy, wisteria, and climbing hydrangea, can damage brickwork by penetrating cracks and worsening existing damage. Therefore, it's crucial to check walls often for any signs of damage when growing climbing plants on a trellis or wire frame [8].
Most climbing plants will not impact a house's foundations. However, it's always a good idea to ensure your home's foundation is in good condition before introducing climbing plants.
Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, advises fixing wall damage quickly to prevent plant roots from causing further damage [9]. Growing a climbing plant on your house does not invalidate your house insurance.
In summary, support climbing plants on a trellis or wire framework mounted just off the bricks, choose species that require such training rather than self-clinging types, and regularly maintain ties and plant growth to preserve brickwork integrity and avoid damage [1][3]. This method combines aesthetic appeal with structural safety.
Maintaining a variety of houseplants indoors could complement your home-and-garden lifestyle, providing a harmonious blend of nature and home-improvement. For instance, a vivacious, potted wisteria plant in the living room or a cascading, hanging ivy in the bathroom can add a touch of greenery and freshen the air.
To take your home-and-garden pursuits outdoors, consider incorporating climbing plants like clematis, climbing roses, star jasmine, or passionflower into your home-improvement plan, as these plants promote airflow and reduce the risk of damp while adding charm to your home's exterior.
