Virginia Creeper - Parthenocissus quinquefolia - €5 per plant

  A woody, dedicuous vine,  Virginia Creeper can be used as a climbing vine or ground cover, its leaves carpeting any surface in a luxuriant green before turning brilliant colours in the Autumn. It is one of the earliest vines to colour in the Autumn. A vigorous grower, it tolerates most soils and climatic conditions.  The seed provides food for birds and small mammals. To order this plant please contact us. [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Native to North America but widely naturalized worldwide
  • native habitat: Thickets and woods in hills and mountains. Climbing over rocks or shrubs on hillsides at elevations of 100 - 1200 meters in China
  • family: Vitaceae

Pest and Predators

  • None known 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full shade - Semi-shade
  • soil pH: Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 - 10
  • Needs a support structure upon which to grow unless grown as a ground cover.
  • Young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts
  • Plants are very tolerant of trimming and can be cut right back to within 1m  of the base and the plant will grow back well.

Known hazards 

  • It can become a bit of a nuisance by growing into gutters.
  • Skin contact with the leaves in autumn can cause dermatitis in some people.
  • The tissues of the plant contain microscopic, irritating needle-like crystals called raphides
  • Some evidence suggests the berries are poisonous

Overview

  • €2 per plant 
  • 16cm x 20cm plant bag
  • Deciduous Climber growing to 30 m at a fast rate.
  • It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from Oct to November.
  • Plants are monoecious and bear small open clusters of inconspicuous flowers in June or July. These are pollinated by bees and wasps and followed by pea-sized reddish berries.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
  • It prefers moist soil.
  • It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous climber 
  • layer : Vertical or Ground Layer
  • habit: climbing/creeping
  • height x width (m): 18m
  • years to bearing yield: 2 years  
  • productive life span: 

Products & Uses

  • The sweetish substance between the bark and the wood is used for food
  • The plant can be used to cover the walls of buildings and fences.
  • Can create an  windbreak if grown up a trellis. 
  • Can be grown as a ground cover plant in a sunny position. Plants should be spaced about 2.5 meters apart each way.

Functions, behaviours


  • Birds and small mammals are known to eat the berries and disperse seeds in their droppings.
  • It can regenerate from root fragments discarded in garden waste.
  • When used for ground cover are very vigorous, however, and will soon swamp smaller plants.
  • Mature specimens also provide an important habitat for insects and small birds.
  • Very fast growing, though it often does not grow very much in its first year or two after planting out
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project