Vines to Cover Walls for Insulation From Heat

Holdfasts

• Some self-supporting vines climb by using holdfasts, which resemble small, sticky pads. Such vines work well on concrete or brick homes, but should not be grown directly on wood, as they tend to trap moisture. The Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a native vine, climbs by sending out tendrils topped with sticky disks. This deciduous vine grows quickly up to 50 feet long and has serrated foliage that turns bright red in the fall. Virginia creeper produces black-blue berries and tolerates salty soil. Another holdfast vine, the creeping or climbing fig (Ficus pumila), grows to 40 feet long. It has fine, heart-shaped to oval evergreen foliage and grows well in full sun or partial shade. Creeping figs tolerate drought but prefer warmer climates.

Aerial Rootlets

• Other vines send out tiny aerial rootlets to support themselves. This type of vine also works best on stone or masonry homes. The trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) grows up to 40 feet long and thrives in full sun to partial shade. This native deciduous vine requires annual pruning, as it grows vigorously. It attracts hummingbirds with its large, trumpet-shaped red-orange flowers that bloom from summer through late fall. Although it climbs with aerial roots, this heavy vine may need additional support. The wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) grows more slowly to lengths of 15 feet. This evergreen vine has glossy, dark green foliage and produces orange fruits. It tolerates full sun to partial shade and uses aerial roots to climb.

Twining

• Vines that climb by twining require a form of support such as a trellis or latticework. Choices for wall insulation include the Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum asminoides), a fast-growing evergreen that grows up to 15 feet long. This hardy vine tolerates wind, drought and heat, and blooms with aromatic white blossoms in the spring. Dutchman's pipe (Aristolochia durior), a deciduous twiner, has large, dark, heart-shaped foliage and grows rapidly to 30 feet tall. This native vine tolerates urban pollution and attracts butterflies.

Ivies

• The University of Missouri Extension and New Mexico State University recommend ivies (Hedera spp.) for north-facing walls. English ivy (H. helix) thrives in shady sites and has dense, heavy evergreen foliage. It may take a year or more for this vine to become established, but once it does, English ivy grows rapidly to 50 feet or more. This hardy vine tolerates drought and produces blue-black berries. Other hedera varieties include Algerian ivy (H. canariensis), a fast-growing evergreen vine that reaches lengths to 30 feet. Algerian ivy has large leaves that take on a bronze hue in the winter. It tolerates salty sites and grows aggressively. For an extra layer of color, plant Japanese ivy (H. rhombea). This evergreen has the large, dark foliage characteristic of ivies but has purple stems. Japanese ivies grow quickly to 12 feet long.