From the beginning of autumn, its deciduous leaves turn flamboyant red, yellow and orange, making true walls of colour. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) is a fast-growing woody climber for walls and pergolas whose hooks don’t damage old walls; give it full or part sun and ordinary soil, and the care it asks for is very easy.
| Name | Parthenocissus |
|---|---|
| Family | Vitaceae |
| Type | vine |
| Height | 32 to 65 feet (10 to 20 metres) |
| Exposure | full sun, part sun |
| Soil | ordinary |
| Foliage | deciduous |
| Flowering | early summer to midsummer (very light) |
Care is very easy and the decorative impact of Virginia creeper is remarkable.
Better to plant Virginia creeper in spring or in fall, when not freezing.
Regularly water over the 1st year after planting.
Ground at the foot of a wall is often full of builder’s rubble, so dig it out generously and refill with garden soil mixed with compost.
Space plants roughly 2 metres apart when covering a long façade.
Several closely related climbers are sold under the name Virginia creeper, all self-clinging and all fiery in autumn. The differences that matter are how far they climb, leaf size and the exact shade the foliage turns.
| Variety | Height | Autumn colour |
|---|---|---|
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia | 6–9 m (20–30 ft) | Pink and red over white variegation |
| Parthenocissus tricuspidata | 8–10 m (26–33 ft) | Orange-red from yellow |
| Parthenocissus tricuspidata | 10–15 m (33–50 ft) | Deep crimson-purple |
| Parthenocissus tricuspidata | 8–10 m (26–33 ft) | Scarlet |
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia | 10–15 m (33–50 ft) | Red to burgundy |
Let your Virginia creeper climb as it wishes, that is when it is most beautiful.
If it covers too large a space, or to keep it from obstructing windows and roots, you can prune it anytime.
Note that it’s important to keep it from reaching your gutters and roof: the powerful vine can lift shingles and cause leaks.
So simply come back at it every once in a while with sharp pruners and the trick is done!
Wear gloves when cutting back, as Virginia creeper sap contains oxalate crystals that can irritate the skin.
Virginia creeper resprouts readily from old wood, so it can be cut right back to a short framework of main stems if it has outgrown its space.
This woody climber has the advantage of growing quickly and of creating true walls of color from the beginning of fall with flamboyant hues of red, yellow and orange.
Just like ivy, its hooks don’t damage old walls, and so there is no problem in letting climb up the wall directly.
It’s fruits and berries aren’t edible, even if it’s part of the same family as the grape vine.
Think twice before letting it cover painted render or weatherboard, because the sticky pads leave marks and stems have to be cut off the wall before you can repaint.
Unlike ivy, Virginia creeper is deciduous, and so the shift of hues along the year is rich and amazing!
