Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) is a vigorous, fast-growing, deciduous climber boasting compound-palmate leaves adorned with 5 ovate leaflets. Emerging bronze, purplish in spring, they mature to dull green in summer and change to brilliant shades of burgundy and crimson red in the fall. It is one of the earliest vines to color in the fall. Usually hidden by the foliage, greenish-white flowers appear in the upper leaf axils in late spring to early summer. They give way to round, fleshy, blue-black berries, visible only after the leaves have fallen, and only if the birds have not devoured them.

Virginia Creeper can be used as a climbing vine or ground cover, its leaves carpeting any surface in luxuriant green before turning spectacular colors in the fall. However, site this plant carefully. Its tendrils end in adhesive-like tips, giving this vine the ability to cement itself to walls, and making it difficult to remove. Although the tendrils don’t penetrate and damage the wall themselves, it is almost impossible to dislodge them from the walls without taking parts of the walls with them.

• May grow up to 30-50 ft. tall (9-15 m) and 5-10 ft. wide (1-3 m).
• Performs best in full sun to part shade in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. However, this species is adapted to drier soils and conditions including coastal dunes and alkaline soils. It tolerates a wide range of soil types: from sandy soils to loamy soils. Tolerates full shade, but the best fall color typically occurs in sunny locations. Drought tolerant.
• This American native is a wonderfully tough, almost indestructible vine for walls and buildings, large trellises, arbors, or fences. Also effective as a ground cover to disguise tree stumps, rock piles, and other eyesores, or for erosion control on slopes. Don’t allow it to climb on trees as it would cast shade on their leaves, thus depriving them of the sunlight they need.
• Easy to grow, this vigorous grower may get out of hand if not kept in check. It has to be trimmed regularly to keep it in bounds.
• Virtually disease free. Keep an eye out for glasshouse red spider mite and vine weevil. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by layering or hardwood cuttings.
• This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act as an invasive non-native species.
• The berries contain amounts of oxalic acid that are toxic to humans, although birds can enjoy eating them without harm.
• Native to eastern and central North America south to Mexico.