First of all, you can have vining plants, just not ones that attach themselves to the brick-and-mortar of the exterior of your condo. Many owners here enjoy having clematis vines that grow on trellises or strings. Others have planted varieties of ivy as ground cover in their landscapes. They offer good weed prevention, moisture control, and visual interest among the colorful annuals seen here at Northland.

The Problems of Vines on Brick Walls

Self-clinging vines have different ways of attaching to a structure, be it a trellis or a brick wall. Some, like the clematis, form curling tendrils that wrap around the structure as it climbs. Others grow aerial roots (i.e., roots that grow from a stalk into the air rather than in soil) that adhere to a surface with a kind of glue that can dissolve the mortar.

Using vining type plants in the landscape can create some interesting landscape effects, but they can also be a maintenance nightmare. . . .

A problem with vines on walls is that either type of vines will hold moisture against the wall. Block and brick walls will start to dissolve and fall apart in high moisture. The self-climbing vines are even worse, the glue that holds the plant to the wall really starts to dissolve the wall in order to glue itself to the wall. If you let the vines grow on the stucco wall of your house, they can pull the stucco right off your house.

https://www.avpress.com/valley_life/growing-vines-on-walls-is-a-challenge-you-have-options/article_f98f2a54-fa20-11ea-acaf-03f76b9eb391.html

What Do Our Condo Rules State?

Our rules (Resident Information Sheet) are available to download here on the website. The rules have been in place for many years. The goal of these rules is to provide every resident and/or owner a safe home that retains or grows in value while keeping all of the properties looking their best. The rule about vining plants is:

TREES & SHRUBS: Trees and shrubs have to be kept trimmed year-round. Shrubs cannot be above the window sills and must be at least 18” below the soffits. Trees must be trimmed so that they do not hang over the roof or interfere with the passage of vehicles on the streets. Vining plants are prohibited from growing on the brick as this damages the mortar between the bricks.

https://northlandcondoassociation.com/about-northland-condominiums/northland-house-rules/

What Should I Do If I Have Vining Plants on My Exterior Bricks?

There are a few options for you to consider, understanding that all vines must be removed from walls:

• remove the plants
• put up a trellis that allows the vines to grow but not to adhere to the brick/mortar
• train vining plants to be ground cover or bonsai-like mini-shrubs (Japanese spindletree)

If you have received a maintenance notice about climbing vines, we ask that you follow the rules. The exterior bricks and mortar are the responsibility of the Association (NCOA), and as such, the Board must apply all rules in all cases. Failure to be in compliance with the rules may result in the owner receiving an assessment when the Board has to take action to hire the work to be done.

Keep It Growing

Above all, enjoy your landscaping and gardening here at Northland. Create the look and feel you want your property to have.

Our rules are few. Other places are much more restrictive. We ask that everyone keeps our community looking great and structurally sound. Kudos to all of the “green thumbs” out there!