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Virginia Creeper problem
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Diamond
Mar 19, 2012, 6:47:55 PM3/19/12
to
I have had a Virginia Creeper on my garden wall for over 16 years. It
was beautiful with huge green leaves every summer until last year when
only 1/3rd of the plant produced leaves. The rest of the branches look
very brittle and dead.
I have another Virginia Creeper on my garage wall which is already
beginning to show some buds, but the one on my main wall looks as though
its not going to produce a thing this year. Its also covered in
ladybirds at the moment for some bizarre reason.
Its a nuisance because I don't think I could ever get the Creeper off
the wall as the branches have glued themselves to the bricks over the
years and become well and truly stuck!
It spoils the whole look of my garden and I wonder if anyone can advise
what I should do? Plant another over the top of this? try to get the
branches off the wall - which I think would be nigh impossible? I wish I
knew an expert who could look at the plant as I not sure of the next
move.
Thanks for any help anyone can give me.
Christine
--
Diamond
Charlie Pridham
Mar 20, 2012, 4:41:31 AM3/20/12
to
"Diamond" <Diamond...@gardenbanter.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Diamond...@gardenbanter.co.uk...
normally called Boston Ivy not Virginia Creeper - your description sounds
more like Boston Ivy as Virginia Creeper doesn't stick as close to the
wall), your best bet is to cut the stems near the base and hope for it to
come back from the base, I am not sure about the cause, it won't be cold as
they are very hardy. Anyway don't bother doing anything with the dead stems
this year just grow something up them (I am thinking something cheap and
annual like sweet peas or Black Eyed Susan) the dead stems will come off OK
the following winter having weathered a bit
--
Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall
Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella
and Lapageria rosea cvs
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Bob Hobden
Mar 20, 2012, 5:07:58 AM3/20/12
to
"Charlie Pridham" wrote ..
>
>
>"Diamond" wrote
you have as the leaves are distinctly different, Virginia Creeper is also
known for it's fiery red autumn colour.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK
>
>
>"Diamond" wrote
>>
>> I have had a Virginia Creeper on my garden wall for over 16 years. It
>> was beautiful with huge green leaves every summer until last year when
>> only 1/3rd of the plant produced leaves. The rest of the branches look
>> very brittle and dead.
>>
>> I have another Virginia Creeper on my garage wall which is already
>> beginning to show some buds, but the one on my main wall looks as though
>> its not going to produce a thing this year. Its also covered in
>> ladybirds at the moment for some bizarre reason.
>>
>> Its a nuisance because I don't think I could ever get the Creeper off
>> the wall as the branches have glued themselves to the bricks over the
>> years and become well and truly stuck!
>>
>> It spoils the whole look of my garden and I wonder if anyone can advise
>> what I should do? Plant another over the top of this? try to get the
>> branches off the wall - which I think would be nigh impossible? I wish I
>> knew an expert who could look at the plant as I not sure of the next
>> move.
>>
>
>> I have had a Virginia Creeper on my garden wall for over 16 years. It
>> was beautiful with huge green leaves every summer until last year when
>> only 1/3rd of the plant produced leaves. The rest of the branches look
>> very brittle and dead.
>>
>> I have another Virginia Creeper on my garage wall which is already
>> beginning to show some buds, but the one on my main wall looks as though
>> its not going to produce a thing this year. Its also covered in
>> ladybirds at the moment for some bizarre reason.
>>
>> Its a nuisance because I don't think I could ever get the Creeper off
>> the wall as the branches have glued themselves to the bricks over the
>> years and become well and truly stuck!
>>
>> It spoils the whole look of my garden and I wonder if anyone can advise
>> what I should do? Plant another over the top of this? try to get the
>> branches off the wall - which I think would be nigh impossible? I wish I
>> knew an expert who could look at the plant as I not sure of the next
>> move.
>>
>
>I have seen this happen before to Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Which is
>normally called Boston Ivy not Virginia Creeper - your description sounds
>more like Boston Ivy as Virginia Creeper doesn't stick as close to the
>wall), your best bet is to cut the stems near the base and hope for it to
>come back from the base, I am not sure about the cause, it won't be cold as
>they are very hardy. Anyway don't bother doing anything with the dead stems
>this year just grow something up them (I am thinking something cheap and
>annual like sweet peas or Black Eyed Susan) the dead stems will come off OK
>the following winter having weathered a bit
>
>
If you look both of those related plants up on Wikipedia you will see which
>normally called Boston Ivy not Virginia Creeper - your description sounds
>more like Boston Ivy as Virginia Creeper doesn't stick as close to the
>wall), your best bet is to cut the stems near the base and hope for it to
>come back from the base, I am not sure about the cause, it won't be cold as
>they are very hardy. Anyway don't bother doing anything with the dead stems
>this year just grow something up them (I am thinking something cheap and
>annual like sweet peas or Black Eyed Susan) the dead stems will come off OK
>the following winter having weathered a bit
>
>
you have as the leaves are distinctly different, Virginia Creeper is also
known for it's fiery red autumn colour.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK
Diamond
Mar 20, 2012, 10:04:40 AM3/20/12
to
Bob Hobden;953752 Wrote:
> "Charlie Pridham" wrote ..-
>
>
> "Diamond" wrote-
>
> I have had a Virginia Creeper on my garden wall for over 16 years. It
> was beautiful with huge green leaves every summer until last year when
> only 1/3rd of the plant produced leaves. The rest of the branches look
> very brittle and dead.
>
> I have another Virginia Creeper on my garage wall which is already
> beginning to show some buds, but the one on my main wall looks as
> though
> its not going to produce a thing this year. Its also covered in
> ladybirds at the moment for some bizarre reason.
>
> Its a nuisance because I don't think I could ever get the Creeper off
> the wall as the branches have glued themselves to the bricks over the
> years and become well and truly stuck!
>
> It spoils the whole look of my garden and I wonder if anyone can
> advise
> what I should do? Plant another over the top of this? try to get the
> branches off the wall - which I think would be nigh impossible? I wish
> I
> knew an expert who could look at the plant as I not sure of the next
> move.
> -
> I have had a Virginia Creeper on my garden wall for over 16 years. It
> was beautiful with huge green leaves every summer until last year when
> only 1/3rd of the plant produced leaves. The rest of the branches look
> very brittle and dead.
>
> I have another Virginia Creeper on my garage wall which is already
> beginning to show some buds, but the one on my main wall looks as
> though
> its not going to produce a thing this year. Its also covered in
> ladybirds at the moment for some bizarre reason.
>
> Its a nuisance because I don't think I could ever get the Creeper off
> the wall as the branches have glued themselves to the bricks over the
> years and become well and truly stuck!
>
> It spoils the whole look of my garden and I wonder if anyone can
> advise
> what I should do? Plant another over the top of this? try to get the
> branches off the wall - which I think would be nigh impossible? I wish
> I
> knew an expert who could look at the plant as I not sure of the next
> move.
>
> I have seen this happen before to Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Which is
>
> normally called Boston Ivy not Virginia Creeper - your description
> sounds
> more like Boston Ivy as Virginia Creeper doesn't stick as close to the
> wall), your best bet is to cut the stems near the base and hope for it
> to
> come back from the base, I am not sure about the cause, it won't be cold
> as
> they are very hardy. Anyway don't bother doing anything with the dead
> stems
> this year just grow something up them (I am thinking something cheap and
>
> annual like sweet peas or Black Eyed Susan) the dead stems will come off
> OK
> the following winter having weathered a bit
>
> -
> I have seen this happen before to Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Which is
>
> normally called Boston Ivy not Virginia Creeper - your description
> sounds
> more like Boston Ivy as Virginia Creeper doesn't stick as close to the
> wall), your best bet is to cut the stems near the base and hope for it
> to
> come back from the base, I am not sure about the cause, it won't be cold
> as
> they are very hardy. Anyway don't bother doing anything with the dead
> stems
> this year just grow something up them (I am thinking something cheap and
>
> annual like sweet peas or Black Eyed Susan) the dead stems will come off
> OK
> the following winter having weathered a bit
>
> If you look both of those related plants up on Wikipedia you will see
> which
> you have as the leaves are distinctly different, Virginia Creeper is
> also
> known for it's fiery red autumn colour.
> --
> Regards. Bob Hobden.
> Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK
Thanks to both replies.
> which
> you have as the leaves are distinctly different, Virginia Creeper is
> also
> known for it's fiery red autumn colour.
> --
> Regards. Bob Hobden.
> Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK
I am now sure it is Virginia Creeper as in the autumn it did have the
most beautiful bright red leaves. Stunning, which is why I am so upset
the plant appears to have died.
However, I still have the problem that this has spread a very long way
across the wall in width and the stems/branches are totally stuck like
glue to the bricks. Not sure how I will get them off.
Thanks for any further advice.
--
Diamond
Jeff Layman
Mar 20, 2012, 1:02:13 PM3/20/12
to
On 20/03/2012 14:04, Diamond wrote:
> I am now sure it is Virginia Creeper as in the autumn it did have the
> most beautiful bright red leaves. Stunning, which is why I am so upset
> the plant appears to have died.
>
> However, I still have the problem that this has spread a very long way
> across the wall in width and the stems/branches are totally stuck like
> glue to the bricks. Not sure how I will get them off.
>
> Thanks for any further advice.
My neighbour had a Virginia Creeper which was about 25 years old. It
> I am now sure it is Virginia Creeper as in the autumn it did have the
> most beautiful bright red leaves. Stunning, which is why I am so upset
> the plant appears to have died.
>
> However, I still have the problem that this has spread a very long way
> across the wall in width and the stems/branches are totally stuck like
> glue to the bricks. Not sure how I will get them off.
>
> Thanks for any further advice.
went right round the house and came back to the front where it
intertwined with itself! A few years ago he decided to remove it, and
although it took several days, he finally got it off. I can't remember
if he used anything special, but it seems to me that an old wallpaper
scraper might help to get the plant of the wall, cutting through any of
the clinging roots without damaging the bricks and mortar.
--
Jeff
Charlie Pridham
Mar 20, 2012, 3:39:17 PM3/20/12
to
quinquefolia which has 5 leaflets, but Parthenocissus tricuspidata which has
one leaf but three lobes) both plants have fiery red colours in Autumn and
both self cling using tendrils with adhesive pads but the stems of Virginia
creeper are not tight to the wall and indeed it often falls off. while
Boston Ivy sticks as you described.
Doesn't make a bit of difference to your problem however!!
Diamond
Mar 20, 2012, 6:38:30 PM3/20/12
to
'Charlie Pridham[_2_ Wrote:
> ;953814']"Diamond" Diamond...@gardenbanter.co.uk wrote in message
> news:Diamond...@gardenbanter.co.uk...-
>
> Bob Hobden;953752 Wrote:-
>
> Thanks to both replies.
>
> I am now sure it is Virginia Creeper as in the autumn it did have the
> most beautiful bright red leaves. Stunning, which is why I am so upset
> the plant appears to have died.
>
> However, I still have the problem that this has spread a very long way
> across the wall in width and the stems/branches are totally stuck like
> glue to the bricks. Not sure how I will get them off.
>
> Thanks for any further advice.
> -
> -
> --
> Thanks to both replies.
>
> I am now sure it is Virginia Creeper as in the autumn it did have the
> most beautiful bright red leaves. Stunning, which is why I am so upset
> the plant appears to have died.
>
> However, I still have the problem that this has spread a very long way
> across the wall in width and the stems/branches are totally stuck like
> glue to the bricks. Not sure how I will get them off.
>
> Thanks for any further advice.
> -
> -
> Diamond-
>
> From your description it is not Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus
> quinquefolia which has 5 leaflets, but Parthenocissus tricuspidata which
> has
> one leaf but three lobes) both plants have fiery red colours in Autumn
> and
> both self cling using tendrils with adhesive pads but the stems of
> Virginia
> creeper are not tight to the wall and indeed it often falls off. while
> Boston Ivy sticks as you described.
>
> Doesn't make a bit of difference to your problem however!!
>
>
> --
> Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall
> Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella
> and Lapageria rosea cvs
> 'ROSELAND HOUSE GARDEN & NURSERY' (http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk)
> From your description it is not Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus
> quinquefolia which has 5 leaflets, but Parthenocissus tricuspidata which
> has
> one leaf but three lobes) both plants have fiery red colours in Autumn
> and
> both self cling using tendrils with adhesive pads but the stems of
> Virginia
> creeper are not tight to the wall and indeed it often falls off. while
> Boston Ivy sticks as you described.
>
> Doesn't make a bit of difference to your problem however!!
>
>
> --
> Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall
> Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella
> and Lapageria rosea cvs
Thanks again everyone. Well, whether its Virginia or Boston I am not
quite sure but as Charlie says, they both have red leaves and both cling
!!
My concern is that when I try to scrape/break or pull off the dead twigs
on the brick wall, it leaves behind an inprint of the tendril. If I have
to take it off, the entire wall will be covered in a pattern of white
lines, horrible. This happened with an Ivy I removed a few years ago, I
still see the marks now!
But presumably you are all telling me there is nothing can save this
plant?
Thanks.
--
Diamond
Charlie Pridham
Mar 21, 2012, 4:47:19 AM3/21/12
to
"Diamond" <Diamond...@gardenbanter.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Diamond...@gardenbanter.co.uk...
>
> 'Charlie Pridham[_2_ Wrote:
>> ;953814']"Diamond" Diamond...@gardenbanter.co.uk wrote in message
>> news:Diamond...@gardenbanter.co.uk...-
>>
>> Bob Hobden;953752 Wrote:-
>> "Charlie Pridham" wrote ..-
>>
>>
>
> Thanks again everyone. Well, whether its Virginia or Boston I am not
> quite sure but as Charlie says, they both have red leaves and both cling
> !!
>
> My concern is that when I try to scrape/break or pull off the dead twigs
> on the brick wall, it leaves behind an inprint of the tendril. If I have
> to take it off, the entire wall will be covered in a pattern of white
> lines, horrible. This happened with an Ivy I removed a few years ago, I
> still see the marks now!
>
> But presumably you are all telling me there is nothing can save this
> plant?
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Diamond
I have not seen them actually die, but have large scale die back, once the
> quite sure but as Charlie says, they both have red leaves and both cling
> !!
>
> My concern is that when I try to scrape/break or pull off the dead twigs
> on the brick wall, it leaves behind an inprint of the tendril. If I have
> to take it off, the entire wall will be covered in a pattern of white
> lines, horrible. This happened with an Ivy I removed a few years ago, I
> still see the marks now!
>
> But presumably you are all telling me there is nothing can save this
> plant?
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Diamond
older stems do that they do not seem to recover but the plant usually grows
back from lower down.
The stems/tendrils do leave some marks when removed but this will be less if
you give them time to weather and become crispy dead
--
Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall
Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella
and Lapageria rosea cvs
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