Grandparents-of-25 With a climbing ivy vine covering and “accidentally” insulating their house, Michael and Teresa Lye have discovered the pinnacle of green energy.
When the elderly couple first moved into their South London house over four decades ago, they made an effort to control the Virginia creeper vine before it overcame them.
The couple is now willing to let the plant grow despite gardening experts’ advice to keep it under control; they only sometimes invite a relative over to trim the leaves that are beginning to obscure the windows of the home.
In Bromley, south east London, the enormous plant, also known as five-leaved ivy, has developed into something of a local attraction, with people frequently stopping to take pictures.
The two assert that it also serves a functional purpose, namely to keep the home warm throughout the winter.
Michael, who is 75, said, “We believe it functions as natural insulation.”
The place is cozy and inviting, Teresa, 72, continued. Enter any of the rooms; they are all warm. We have a fan in this room because of this. We are warm in the cold.
I hear my daughter ask, “You have the heater on?” I respond, “No, of course we haven’t turned on the heat.”
Michael said, “But it hasn’t nearly done enough to halt the stinging rise in gasoline prices.”
I still hate getting my gas and electric bill, he said.
The semi-detached home was purchased by the parents of five children in 1984 for $24,000.
It is situated on a manor in the Downham region that was allegedly opened by royalty in 1928 and was where the Virginia creeper was recommended.
However, the plant was out of control and had entered the house when the couple went to see it decades later.
Michael, a social housing worker, remarked: “A king inaugurated the estate.” I’m not sure which one.
They added, “Virginia creeper would look great on these homes.”
The council then began to plant it on every home. Most folks got rid of it after moving in.
When we first saw the home, several of the windows were damaged, and a plant had climbed the wall’s upper corridor.
It had in fact entered the home.
It had developed in one bedroom where [vandals] had damaged the windows, according to Teresa.
“Oh,” I said after seeing it. It was directly across the ceiling and down the walls as you entered the room.
They said, “No, we’ll clear all that.” The window will be painted, and we’ll also decorate.
Pictures of the home often appear in local Facebook groups where people praise the nearby landmark.
Michael continued by saying that people often stop their autos or strolls to take pictures of the property.
Everyone will stop once a week.
“The other day a woman was out there.” It’s a pound a picture, I said. What? she exclaimed. I jokingly reassured her, “Don’t worry.”
Don’t you get all the creepy crawlies coming in the windows? she questioned. I said, “No, we’re great. The wife sleeps with her mouth open.”