"Virginia creeper can be used as a shading vine for buildings on masonry walls. Because the vine, like its relative Boston ivy, adheres to the surface by disks rather than penetrating roots, it will not harm the masonry but will keep a building cooler by shading the wall surface during the summer, saving money on air conditioning."
From Hardy Plants for Cottage Gardens:
"There is needless prejudice against covering a shingled or frame cottage with Virginia creeper, because it is said to rot the walls. We have found this is not true. Sixteen years ago, when we took our old house, the frame was newly shingled, and where the vine is close and thick near the roof, the shingles are still new and fresh looking; elsewhere they have turned a silvery gray. The leaves, extending outward, act like countless watersheds, and only when they fall do the walls ever get wet. "
"Parthenocissus quinquefolia." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 12 Aug 2009, 22:55 UTC. 7 Oct 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Parthenocissus_quinquefolia&oldid=307645811>.
Albee, Helen Rickey. Hardy Plants for Cottage Gardens. New York, 1910. 77-8. Web. Google Book Search. 6 Oct 2009.
I think virginia-creeper is such a lovely vine, especially in the autumn. I love the soft red- pink tints of its leaves, particularly when the vine tumbles over old stone walls that are covered with patches of steely grey-green lichens and moss. It is a beautiful color palette. Hmmm... I think I just found the subject of my next painting. Now all I need is some time!
ReplyDelete~gretchen
This is a time of such wondrous colors, isn't it? Sounds like the making of a lovely painting is in the works.
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