I really wouldn't worry, you'll need a machete by summer, no matter how bad it looks now - the difficulty with these is not in keeping them alive, it's being able to get rid of them if you want to.

even though the stump isnt in any soil? it has been completely severed above the pot it was in, and is dry and brittle? there are no leaves on it at all? sorry for bein vague am no gardener ;(

even though the stump isnt in any soil? it has been completely severed above the pot it was in, and is dry and brittle? there are no leaves on it at all? sorry for bein vague am no gardener ;(

Spug, if the stem has been cut completely then the Virginia Creeper is dead. Whether this is a good thing or not is a matter of personal opinion. It is a beautiful climber but the one that we had whent up under the roof slates and choked the rain gutters. It is a nice thug and I was happy to cut it out, eventually.

Ah, I see, that information changes everything, that wasn't clear at all from your original post. I have to say I'd just be grateful, personally - I've seen more roofs leak because of invading virginia creeper than I can shake a stick at... and I never, ever plant it in my clients gardens and have also spent much time trying to eradicate the damned thing.

ahh ok...so if it is dead and covers half the house. whats the best solution???? we loved the look of it, it made the house for us..any suggestions...very gratefully received.

I'm not clear what you mean - are you saying it's still growing and alive on the house?

I've just read all this again - it seems you're saying the roots have been severed, which were in a pot, but the topgrowth might still be alive? It won't be if all stems going up the house have been sliced off from the roots. What I'm interested in is the fact it got to the top of the house when its only planted in a pot. Unless the pot is extremely large, is it possible the roots have come out the bottom and rooted into soil beneath the pot?

well its in a little pot, will have to check the roots out see what exactly has happened there! but yes a small pot huge coverage, no leaves a the momemt looks dead. just would like to know whether we will have to get it professionally removed etc. no stem is remainin in contact with the pot now, gutted really.

If it was in a small pot, I'd be very surprised if it put on that amount of growth with the roots still contained. Try lifting the pot up - if the roots have penetrated whatever's below, just like the Terminator, it'll be back... You will need to remove the growth that's on the house currently, as its dead, but if you have roots in the soil, and you want it to cover the house, you must make sure you're prepared to keep it under control - that means trimming it round windows, stopping it getting under the guttering at the top of the house and not allowing it, actually, to get to the wooden boards that are usually just under the guttering against the house wall, and certainly nowhere near the roof. If you're good up a ladder and don't mind keeping it in check, that'll be fine. The trouble with them is, most people don't notice and before you know it, it's in the roof space and causing trouble...

thankyou so much for your help! i will certainly investigate and take it from there, thanks again

That's a good description of how our Virginia Creeper took over, Bamboo!