The Best Ivy for Making a Wall

Boston Ivy

• Known for its habit of covering walls with thick, lush leaves that turn bright reds and purples in the fall, Boston ivy is an excellent vine for thoroughly covering a wall. It climbs to heights of 50 feet and can spread to between five and 10 feet. It is a tolerant vine, growing in sunshine and shade, in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Because it is deciduous, however, keep in mind that from late fall through to spring, it will provide only the coverage of its stems.

Virginia Creeper

• Although it does not have the word “ivy” in its name, Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is closely related to Boston ivy. It also climbs and trails, clinging to open surfaces such as chain-link fences and trellises just as easily as it attaches to the flat faces of brick and stone. A very tolerant plant, Virginia creeper is winter hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. Like Boston ivy, it is a colorful in the fall, its compound leaves turning bright shades of red and gold, especially when grown in sunny locations. It can grow to 50 feet.

English Ivy

• With its vibrant evergreen leaves, English ivy is a hardy, tolerant plant that grows well in USDA zones 4 through 9. It will create a thick covering for a wall or other surface, to heights of 80 feet, especially when grown in moist, shady conditions. Although it is beautiful, English ivy (Hedera helix) is known for being very invasive, so if you do choose to plant it, take care to confine it to its planting area and prevent it from escaping into the wild. Also be aware that unlike Boston ivy and Virginia creeper, which attach to walls with adhesive pads, English ivy roots bore into wall surfaces, creating areas into which water may penetrate, causing rot or mold.

Algerian Ivy

• Related to English ivy, Algerian ivy (Hedera algeriensis or Hedera canariensis) grows by the same twining and aerial rooting habit. It therefore poses the same dangers of damaging walls. However, it is a thick, attractive vine that grows quickly and well in USDA zones 7b and above. It is also evergreen, so your wall will have greenery on it year-round, in sunshine and in shade. It grows a little less vigorously than the other vines, however, topping out around 30 feet.