How can I encourage ivy to climb a vertical concrete wall?

We have tried to get ivy to grow up our wall, but it appears that the wall is too smooth and vertical. How best can I encourage the ivy to grow? I can dangle string or a net from the top of the wall, and also erect something from the ground up, but I can't (am not allowed) drill any holes in the wall. What do you suggest? Thanks in advance!

How can I encourage ivy to climb a vertical concrete wall?
Put it in a big pot with a trellis behind it and make it look like it's climbing the wall?



Climbing vines are quick-change artists that can hide garden eyesores. There are four basic types of vines, each growing in a different way. http://www.ehow.com/how_14672_train-vine...



Good article to read: http://www.english-gardening.com/Garden_...



Train ivy into patterns

Use fast-growing ivies to make interesting and formal patterns on areas of blank wall. Choose a Hedera helix clone or a larger-leaved Hedera hibernica. Start by training the ivy along wires fixed to the wall, then clip to keep in shape once fully grown

http://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/i...



I have been asked how the climbers are secured to the sides of the house. They are secured against trellis made of wire-screens (usually used as hedges to guard your garden from animals) attached to the brick wall with "L" shaped metal brackets fastened to the wall with aluminum screws meant for concrete. Please look carefully in the picture of Clematis Nelly Moser, the 6th picture from top, you will be able to see the wire-screen. You get these green plastic coated screens in Home Depot or Lowe's. They are available in rolls of different width. These screens are almost invisible when looked at from deistance. I have explored many alternatives and found this to be the most practical and the least expensive means for the purpose.

http://www.westvalleyrose.org/roseinfo/c...



Train ivy to climb around the shape of a wire hanger http://www.ehow.com/how_18583_train-ivy-...



English ivy climbs walls by means of clasping roots but will not tolerate the south side of a wall unless there is shade from a tree on the wall. In southern New Mexico, Algerian ivy (a close relative of English ivy) can also be used. It has larger leaves with a brighter green color. Both are evergreen and will provide green color throughout the year.



If the wall faces south, you may find that Boston ivy or Virginia creeper will suffer less leaf scorch. These are deciduous, so they will lose their leaves in the winter. However, if the location is not shaded, they will produce bright fall colors before dropping their leaves in the fall. If you purchase one of these, choose plants with tendrils that terminate in adhesive pads (flattened areas at the end of the tendrils). Some Virginia creeper vines, including close relatives that look like Virginia creeper, have tendrils that do not form adhesive pads. The tendrils twine around twigs and stems and are not adapted to adhering to walls. They would require trellises or other support to climb the wall.

http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/ces/yard/2006/0...



How to build a trellis: http://www.ehow.com/how_9051_build-trell...



Build a simple, low-cost garden trellis

http://www.msbuilder.com/lib/ms060.shtml



How do I "train" it, for instance, to grow up a vertical structure that I could place in the window box, such as a thick plastic sheet?



- a fine netting of degradable material is usually best, it will break down and wont girdle your plants stems in future. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums...



Large-leaved types romp up walls, but can be just as quickly ripped down by high winds, whereas the small-leaved compact types mince their way upwards and outwards.

http://www.gardeningmasterclass.co.uk/h0...



How to Grow Up: The Art of Climbing Plants

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/climbin...
Reply:bamboo plant canes and weive between the netting as close to the wall as u can get sink the canes into the ground xx
Reply:(thinking outside the box) How about glueing something up there? no more nails all weather should do it.
Reply:Give it a lattice to climb. These can be made or purchased.
Reply:when u said 'how can i encourage ivy' i thought u were talking about a pet

lol

silly me

train it lol

hahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahaha
Reply:well it seems you have answered your own question,

check out the type of ivy you are growing, wondering jew is a great vertical ivy, ask a plant expert.