Ivy getting out of control

[LenoVentura]

We have ivy growing up the front of the building, which is not the problem in itself. However, I want it to grow across the building rather than up as it's trying to encroach on the windows. First question - do the little fronds that enable it to cling allow it to cling to glass, and second, how can I make it go in a different direction?

Ivy clings to everything; it's a real thug. We had ivy growing up the gable end of the house - I really liked the look of it, but it had to come down as it was getting under the tiles, and the trunk had bent a gas pipe. We had to have the render repaired too as it was damaged by the ivy.

It probably won't cling to glass, but it will force its way into the gaps between the frames and the wall.

The only thing you can do is to relentlessly cut off every shoot growing in the wrong direction.

The only way to make it go in a different direction is to physically tie it in place. You might feel life's too short.

I've heard it can be very damaging to buildings - take care!

DH used to be a bricklayer and he absolutely hates ivy growing on walls. If the masonry is really sound, you might be lucky and not experience a problem but if there are any cracks or joints, the ivy will find them, grow into them and push the cracks or joints further apart causing damage or damp or both. If you later try to remove well-established ivy, which is an invasive plant after all, it will have discoloured the bricks and mortar. The only solution for mortar discoloured by ivy is repointing.

If you are keen to have a climbing plant across the external wall, you would be better off with Virginia creeper which is much more benign.

Thanks everyone. It is a thug and it's having a real growing spurt at the moment. I may have a look at Virginia creeper as I don't want damage. It was only a tiny thing when we moved in three years ago and I don't know why the little old lady who lived here planted it as she wouldn't see it from inside the house.