Vine or Ivy that doesn't destroy brick?

My house in Toronto has very old %26amp; weak brick. Is there any Ivy or vine that will grow in shade or not much sunlight %26amp; won't ruin the brick (as I understand ivy can have a substance that breaks down brick).

Vine or Ivy that doesn't destroy brick?
English Ivy does grow well on brick but it is the worse for breaking apart a brick wall. Its tendrils (not a chemical) work their way into cracks and then expand, breaking apart the mortar %26amp; brick. Try Boston Ivy. It only attaches to the brick's surface via hold fasts, not in the cracks with tendrils like English Ivy. Boston Ivy is the same Ivy growing on the outfield brick wall at Wrigley Park, home of the Chicago Cubs. 200 Boston Ivy plants where planted on that brick wall at Wrigley Field back in 1937 and the wall stands today untouched.
Reply:Either English Ivy or Swedish Ivy will grow well on brick. I once bought a brick home that had ivy growing on the brick when I bought it, but that was many years ago %26amp; I can't recall the name of the ivy. There was no evidence of the ivy breaking down the brick/mortar when I bought it.
Reply:The chemicals in the vines are not the issue. Vines and particularly ivy have very persistant and strong root tendrils.


They will exploit any small crack between the brick and the mortar. water gets in then freezes, causing cracks to widen and vines work in further.


Just like having ivey on oak or maple trees, it may look good but you are slowly killing the tree. Likewise with your brick. If you want to keep your house in as good condition and miantence free, keep the ivy and vines off the house. Period.
Reply:No. Eventually any type of ivy will wear the brick down. If you absolutely have to have it, consider installing a trellis next to the house so it grows on that instead of the brick. I had a 40 ft. neighbor's pine tree fall on my house because ivy grew all over the trunk and eventually killed the tree so that it could no longer support its own weight.


Regular english ivy will grow in sun or shade.
Reply:BOUGAINVILLEA'S