Virginia Creeper

A time honoured garden climber that is much adored for its magnificent orange and red, early autumn show. Virginia Creepers have the admirable ability to cover large areas quickly and with virtually no help from you.

Virginia Creeper leaves are made up of five, oval shaped leaflets, hence the botanical name Parthenocissus ‘quinquefolia’. Parthenocissus is formed from two Greek words, parthenos – virgin and kissos – ivy. ‘Quiquefolia’ – oak like leaves. The new spring leaves have a handsome bronze/purple blush and mature to a lush green.

Virginia Creeper requires no support as it is self clinging and will grow easily on fences, retaining walls, walls, through trees, as a ground cover, slopes, pergolas etc. If you want it to choose a specific direction though, you can always add some supports for bearing. The tendrils have adhesive pads that cling to rough/smoothish surfaces, while mine can ramble where it likes, if you are fussy about paint then you should know they will mark it.

Small white flowers form in the leaf axils in summer; they are followed by dark, ornamental berries. Neither are stand out features of the plant, but birds will enjoy the berries. Once the leaves fall, they can be quite decorative.

Virginia Creeper is easy care, simply plant in moderately fertile, to humus rich, well drained soil. Grow in a full sun to part shade position, while very understanding of shade, you will get the best autumn colour in a sunny spot. Water in, they become dry tolerant once established. They are pruning group 11, which means you can prune early winter to tidy and summer to control growth if required.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia is commonly known as Virginia Creeper, Woodbine or American Ivy, though of course it is not an ivy at all.