Head to Head Battle - English Ivy Vs Virginia Creeper

I have English Ivy growing on my back garden wall that has come from my neighbours garden. It's only managed to cover around a metre and a half; and only some is actually stuck to the wall.
The Ivy is currently behind a large cherry tree I have in the corner. As much as I want my rear wall covered (to remove the ugly brickwork) I wanted something different so I bought two pots of Virginia Creeper. I only planted them a couple of weeks ago.

I like the look of Virginia Creeper and don't dislike Ivy. Would these two creepers work together? or should I just keep the Ivy under control and away from the area where I want to see the Virginia Creeper?

 

Some Ivy look very pretty but dont like them creeping on walls. I think it is unsightly I dont think it does the mortar any good.

I lost my Virginia creeper last year to the Winter.

 

To allow the creeper a chance to get a hold keep the ivy away from it for a while. Once well established let them fight it out. Ivy isn`t quite the triphid it`s portrayed to be and it will take some time. Ivy doesn`t damage mortar as much as bad workmanship does, having said that don`t grow it up a house wall, you can`t take the chance with your home. I have a wall in the garden that is at least as old as the house-150+yrs, ivy had covered it for a very long time-the main shoot is about as thick as the top of your arm. When I moved in a cut it back off the wall in order to reinvigorate it and the mortar was about as good as you could expect it to be at that age. I now cut it flat to the wall every two three years to keep the leaves looking their very best-it also allows me to survey what, if any, damage there is. Maybe they will need repointing in a few years but again that`s age not ivy.

 

The virginia creeper will definatley win for speed but I love ivy and the darker green the better in my book. I have an ancient wall in my garden (well, 106 years old and crumbling) and the ivy is wonderful. I have been training it along for the last 12 years and it has gained about 6 foot. Only another 12 feet to go

 

Virginia Creeper is stunning when the leaves turn red but then again all you are left with once the leaves fall off is an unsightly mess of running lines all over your walls.

Ivy on the other hand is a lovely evergreen and if you get a cute variegated leaf ivy and remember to keep it within certain bounds it will look stunning even in the darkest winter.Hel.xxx.

 

Yes I think the ivy would be better as it will keep green through the winter I have them both and I love the virginia creeper it is just a shame it loses its leaves after a wonderful show in the autumn
I have it the front of the house with clematis running throught it, In the back I have virginia creeper running over the shed with a passion flower and ivy but even the passion flower is wilting now at this time of the year, never mind soon be spring again and they will all be in bud waiting to give us another show good luck

 

Just a wee tip for the virginia creeper. I have one at the front and gable end of the house. A couple of years ago we were doing work to the faschias (Sp) and I had to cut it down I was terrified it would die as it is lovely. Boy it shot up in a season. Bigger and better than before.:luv: