Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 10.5: Climbing plants
Plant
Maximum
Growth conditions
height (m)
Self climbers:
Ivy ( Hedera helix )
30
Shade
Climbing hydrangea ( Hydrangea anomala and H. petiolaris )
4-8
Sun and shade
Virgina creeper 'five-leaved ivy' ( Parthenocissus quiquefolia )
20
Sun and shade
Virginia creeper 'Lowii' ( Parthenocissus tricuspidata )
20
Sun and shade
Trellis climber:
Chinese wisteria ( Wisteria sinensis )
6-10
Strong sun
Honeysuckle ( Lonicera pericymenum )
10
Sun
Winter jasmine ( Jasminum nudiflorum )
2-5
Strong sun
Blackberry, bramble ( Rubus fruticosus )
2-3
Sun
Common Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus vitacea )
10
Sun and shade
Climbing rose ( Rosa canina )
3-4
Strong sun
Common hop (1) ( Humulus lupulus )
10
Sun and shade
Note:
(1) Plant withers in winter
• Self-supporting plants have a special growth which attaches to unevennesses on
the wall or to a trellis of galvanized steel or timber. These plants grow strongly
and need regular cutting and care. The Virginia creeper is the most common.
The wall does not have to be particularly uneven for the plant to be able to fas-
ten onto it - in some cases these plants can be classified as self-climbers.
• Some plants that need support do not fasten either to walls or to other objects.
They grow upwards quickly and chaotically, and can form thick layers.
Blackberry bushes are an example.
If there is no earth along the external walls of a building, most climbing plants can
be hung from a balcony. Virginia creeper and blackberry are good hanging plants.
Hedge plants
Hedge plants can be planted against a wall and grow independently with a
strong trunk, but do not fasten to the wall. They have to be trimmed regularly,
with openings made for windows. Quite a few grow in the northern European
climate, e.g. rose hip.
Timber
Trees are mainly composed of long cells stretched vertically, forming wood fibres.
Across the trunk are pith divisions, forming rectangular cells. This structure gives
timber elasticity and strength. Cells vary in form from timber to timber, but they
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search