I'm no expert, but I think no. I suspect they'll climb up, no matter what's up there.

Have you considered staining or painting the walls? Maybe a nice terra cotta color or a faux finish that you'd like better than plain concrete?

Or you could put planters on the drive if it's wide enough and plant something tall in them?

Have you had any success with ivy growing downwards? Because I'm planning that as well, in India. Also, do you think they will grow in shade?

All vines want to grow upwards. That is how they evolved into being vining plants........developing the ability to grasp and climb up other plants to reach sunlight and rainfall. The same is true for ivy, Hedera species. English ivy planted atop a concrete retaining wall adjacent to my property will grow out over the top of the wall but never grows downward or attaches to the wall. All the end tendrils - if not pruned off even with the wall - develop an upward growth habit.

Plants that offer a cascading habit naturally (many types of groundcovers, prostrate rosemary, etc.) will be a better fit but none will completely cover a concrete retaining wall.

I believe the Virginia creeper that clambers over a hogwire fence in my backyard will do just that-eventually grow downward. This is an interesting question, as I'm sure Gardengal is correct in stating that vines by their very nature do want to grow upwards. But in this case I cite, the vines are rambunctious and quickly get to the top of that fence, but do not simply stop growing at that point. Instead, it seems they become heavy and start to sag, all the while latching onto other parts of themselves, or the fence. I could be wrong about this, but we sure don't have one bit of trouble each year having that otherwise not so attractive fence become completely hidden by growth. Hmmm?

Of course, you didn't ask about Virginia creeper, but another aspect of this species-and this is true of a great many vining species-is the ease with which any portion in contact with the ground sends down roots.

+oM

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