Virginia Creepers and Other Parthenocissus

The Virginia Creeper and Related Species are Easy to Grow Climbers

Feb 2, 2009 Tony Allen

Parthenocissus are hardy climbing plants. They will quickly cover a house or garden wall and provide a spectacular display of brilliant red and purple autumn foliage.

The Virginia Creeper, originating in North America, is the best known member of the genus Parthenocissus, a group of vigorous, deciduous climbing plants. Most are fully hardy in Britain. Other species are to be found in eastern Asia and the Himalayas. Some species are self-clinging with suction pads which adhere to almost any surface, but others attach themselves by tendrils. They are best known for their stunning autumn leaf colour. They’re very useful for softening and mellowing a harsh house front or wall.

The three most frequently cultivated species are:

Parthenocissus Quinquefolia

• True Virginia Creeper, originating in north America, is a self-clinging climber, particularly vigorous, and may reach 70 ft, but is easily pruned to less.
• The green leaves consist of 3-5 large, roughly serrated leaflets, and turn a brilliant crimson in autumn.
• Unobtrusive green/yellow flowers are followed by tiny blue/black berries, again in autumn.
• Beware the closely related parthenocissus inserta, which has tendrils without sucker pads. This species is not self-clinging as the tendrils need wire or trellis as a support.

Parthenocissus Tricuspidata Veitchii

• Boston Ivy, or Japanese Ivy , originally from Japan and China, is also self clinging but slightly less vigorous (maximum 50 ft).
• The leaves normally have three lobes or leaflets The young foliage is purple flushed when young, turning green as it matures, followed by spectacular autumn leaves of red and purple..
• The unobtrusive green yellow flowers and tiny blue berries are less plentiful than on Virginia Creeper.

Parthenocissus Henryana

• Chinese Virginia Creeper is the least vigorous, but may be the most attractive of the three.
• It is reliably self clinging and grows to about 25 feet.
• The regular colour of its 3-5 lobed leaflets is a lovely dark copper-green, with pink and white variegation marking the leaf veins. The copper tint is stronger in a shady spot.
• In autumn the variegation becomes even more pronounced when the main leaf colour turns a brilliant red.

Cultivation

• All parthenocissus prefer a rich well drained soil, but will thrive in sun or part shade.
• Parthenocissus Henryana is slightly tender, and best grown in a sheltered position.
• Enrich the soil well with compost and bone meal and plant all of them about a foot out from the base of the wall to avoid any dry strip.
• Use canes or netting to hold the branches firmly against the wall until they begin to cling.
• If a plant is slow to cling, brushing the wall with milk or yoghourt can help. As a last resort, cut back hard to about a foot high and train the new growth firmly into the wall.
• No pruning is needed, except to control growth.

Other Climbers

Other attractive climbers to consider for your garden include clematis, honesuckle, jasmine and wisteria

The copyright of the article Virginia Creepers and Other Parthenocissus in Flower Gardens is owned by Tony Allen. Permission to republish Virginia Creepers and Other Parthenocissus in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Parthenocissus Cloaks a Wall

Parhenocissus Tricuspidata Veitchii