Virginia creeper against neighbour's wall?

[tulipsaredelicious]

Next door's have extended so their wall runs alongside our garden for a stretch. It's two storeys high and not very pretty. Was thinking of growing a Virginia creeper against it - it has pads and isn't intrusive the way ivy is. Would this be very rude, do you think?

I wouldn't and would be a bit miffed if someone grew it up my house wall. More sympathy with a garden wall or fence but not on a house structure. Very vigorous - would you be prepared to do substantial annual pruning and maintenance?

I would go with something a bit less vigorous ,& not so clingy,maybe think about wall shrubs,pyracantha or cotoneaster that sort of thing.

Would they be able to see it?

No they wouldn't see it unless they were at ours for some reason. I don't know them so that's unlikely, though I dare say at some point over the years there's a good chance they'll see it eventually.

Thanks for those other suggestions. I'll check them out. As for pruning and maintenance, yes - don't see that as being difficult really. As long as I can get up a ladder anyway.

I planted one a few years ago against our neighbours fence as the fence is awful and needs replacing. Ended up taking it out last year by which time it had climbed into everything nearby. Good job we get on with the neighbours as they had to spend time removing it from all their nearby shrubs too!!

Agree about wall shrub option. Garrya 'James Roof' is evergreen, fast growing and has pretty catkins over the winter?

That's really useful to hear, shouldbe - though not so good for you! Sounds like the creeper's a goner.

Thanks all for the other suggestions. Looking forward to discovering them!

I don't think it would be rude at all. Grow what you like up it! As long as you're prepared to keep on top of it so it doesn't get in their way.

Thanks for a different perspective, LadyGardener!

I don't think it's rude either. Rude of them to impose an ugly wall on you! I certainly wouldn't think twice about planting Virginia creeper. As long as you keep it from growing over their windows and blocking their guttering there shouldn't be a problem. It looks stunning in autumn when it turns red, and the leaves compost down into leaf mould beautifully.

You could also consider climbing hydrangea which is another self-clinger and so a lot less faff than wall shrubs which have to be trained.

OP I found this interesting thread on Garden Law it might help. I think it's got something to do with whether its a party wall or not? www.gardenlaw.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1202

of course all the leaves will drop off in the autumn and you will be left with bricks. some of the other suggestions are better as they are evergreen. it will grow all over their roof, windows etc. its an animal. i planted it on our house and then removed it as neighbours had it and it looked a nightmare - they spent ages getting it off windows etc.

would bamboo harm their foundations - or is it not tall enough. or maybe a line of silver birch trees (though again leaves will fall in autumn)

Not bamboo!!!! Incredibly invasive and you'll forever regret planting it...

bamboo wouldn't be tall enough. I do like the idea of the creeper - I love red. But I can't complain about their wall. It was there when we moved in.

Thank you for the link, forget. I'll look at it tomorrow when I've had less wine

Climbing hydrangea was suggested to me in RL. I've got a lot of homework to do!

Not all bamboo is invasive,there's a nice little patch where I go gardening & it goes to about 16 ft,without running all over the place,not sure what variety it is though.

What about evergreen clematis?

If it is their wall and you haven't split the cost of it, I think you better ask them. I am astounded at a 2 story high wall though, sounds like a prison or something, it it even legal to build a wall that high? 6 feet is the legal height in my neighborhood. Or am I misunderstanding, and it is part of their house, as you said an extension? But either way, it is their property it sounds like, so ask them.