The fall color of Boston ivy is showcased on this Santa Fe adobe wall....

I adore the look of Boston ivy climbing the walls of a building. If you want to use Boston ivy in this manner, however, first make sure you're ready for a permanent commitment to it. For, once Boston ivy plants sink their "holdfasts" into a wall, that's just what they do: hold fast. And it will be difficult to pull the Boston ivy off without doing the wall considerable harm.

The holdfasts at the ends of the tendrils of Boston ivy vines cling tightly to a wall.

If you want the lovely look without risking damage to your wall, it's safer to train Boston ivy upon a trellis, pergola or arbor.