It was good enough for Madeline.

Hopefully not those invasive kudzu vines that are killing all the trees along the county roads!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/realestate/greenwich-village-streetscapes-ivy-reviled-admired-and-lately-imitated.html?_r=0


"The extensive Oxford research indicates that the shade and rain protection provided by ivy creates a microclimate that moderates temperature change and the humidity fluctuation of a wall, with a corresponding decrease in freeze-thaw damage and the migration of salts within the masonry. Ivy was also found to reduce the attacks of airborne pollutants on surfaces."

Anonymous wrote:yeah and easy access for bugs of all sorts.

Rats love it (shudder!)

disgusting and bad for the house

I love it -- for other people's houses, because as others mentioned, I am afraid of damage. If others want to do it, I will happily admire. I particularly love the variety of ivy that turns red in the fall. Gorgeous on a light-colored house.

Anonymous wrote:Hate it. All I can think is that they are probably causing structural damage.

+1 You should never grow ivy near the foundation of your house. And if a home is covered in vines, it's likely there's been ivy there for a long time.

Anonymous wrote:Hate it. All I can think is that they are probably causing structural damage.

not if it is a thin layer

I love the look, but worry about structural damage.

yeah and easy access for bugs of all sorts.

Yes, they do cause damage. The roots and vines get into the mortar and weaken it. You should take it off.

Yes, vines can definitely cause structural damage. I do like the look in some cases, though.

Hate it. All I can think is that they are probably causing structural damage.

I actually totally love that look, but it would give DH an anxiety attack.

WDYT?