Covering an HP block wall with ivy?

[Anonymous]

House we bought has a long low front retaining wall made of those mortar less concrete HP something blocks / pavers that are supposed to look like Belgian brick hut do not. They look cheap and ugly. But they are serving a porpoise and I don’t want to pay a mason to replace the wall right now. Is it okay to intentionally plant ivy to grow up and cover these walls and if so what kind? Don’t want it to take over the beds the wall is holding up.

[Anonymous]

Ivy is even uglier.

[Anonymous]

Ivy is very invasive so you’ll need to do a lot of maintenance to keep it from the beds.

[Anonymous]

No no no no no no no no. On behalf of future you or the someday future owner, do not do this. Find some tall native perennials that grow well in that direction (south, north, whatever) and plant those instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No no no no no no no no. On behalf of future you or the someday future owner, do not do this. Find some tall native perennials that grow well in that direction (south, north, whatever) and plant those instead.

You mean plant them in front of the wall to block it from sight?

[Anonymous]

Wait so is all ivy bad now?

[Anonymous]

How about climbing hydrangea.

[Anonymous]

I feel you, OP. I have an ugly wall too.

It will look much, much better just from weathering for a few years.

What direction is it facing? Is it shaded by trees or buildings? There are a bunch of things you can grow to screen it besides Ivy that are native or non-native but better behaved. . Some might require you to rig a trellis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait so is all ivy bad now?

It creates little pocket to harbor mosquitos, so yes. Plus once it’s established, it’s not going anywhere without a fight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No no no no no no no no. On behalf of future you or the someday future owner, do not do this. Find some tall native perennials that grow well in that direction (south, north, whatever) and plant those instead.

You mean plant them in front of the wall to block it from sight?

If I’m understanding your situation correctly, yes. A well selected rose bush, native anemones, a well chosen drift of goldenrod, a series of purple love grass plants…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel you, OP. I have an ugly wall too.

It will look much, much better just from weathering for a few years.

What direction is it facing? Is it shaded by trees or buildings? There are a bunch of things you can grow to screen it besides Ivy that are native or non-native but better behaved. . Some might require you to rig a trellis.

It’s right in front of the house facing south. It’s very conspicuous.