Vines That Will Grow on Masonry Walls

Virginia Creeper

• Also known as Woodbine, this climbing vine, botanical name Parthenocissus quinquefolia, climbs by using both tendrils and adhesive disks that stick to masonry walls or stone. The drooping leaves take on a purplish color in spring and turn scarlet in the fall. It also produces pea-sized berries that birds often enjoy. Virginia Creeper will grow in either sun or shade and is drought-tolerant. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 10.

Boston Ivy

• Boston ivy, botanical name Partheonocissus tricuspidata, is a well-known climbing vine often found on brick and other masonry buildings. It prefers sun to partial shade conditions with evenly-moist soil. Boston ivy bears small, inconspicuous flowers in spring, and blue-black berries that attract birds. In the autumn, leaves turn a vibrant red. Boston Ivy is hardy is zones 4 to 8.

English Ivy

• English ivy, Hedera helix, climbs masonry by the use of tiny suction cups which stick to the walls as they grow. It bears heart-shaped leaves and tiny, yellow-green flowers in late summer. Later, black fruits develop on the vines. This climbing vine generally will not adversely affect the masonry structure unless cracks already exist, according to Lee Reich, contributing horticultural consultant to Fine Gardening. It is hardy in zones 5 to 9, and can become invasive if not controlled.

Japanese Hydrangea Vine

• Schizophragma hydrangeoides, or Japanese hydrangea vine, is an attractive, woody-stemmed vine used to climb masonry walls. A single plant can spread to 30 feet wide, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden site. The plant has green, heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges, about 3 to 5 inches long. The flowers bloom in early summer and are flat-topped lace-cap hydrangea-type blooms in white. The reddish stems provide some winter color. The Japanese hydrangea vine is hardy in zones 5 to 8. It prefers rich, moist soil conditions.

Night-Blooming Cereus

• Hylocereus undatus, or night-blooming cereus, is a member of the cactus family. An evergreen, perennial in warm climates, it bears large foot-wide white flowers that bloom at night. It can be grown in sun or in shade and has a high salt tolerance for growing in coastal regions. Night-blooming cereus is hardy in zones 8 and 9.