Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia creeper
Common names: Woodbine, Five-leaved ivy
At a glance
- Light
- Partial shade
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to −25 °C
- Spacing
- 100 cm, rows 200 cm
- Water need
- Low
Photo: Public Domain · Source
Description
Parthenocissus quinquefolia, commonly known as the Virginia creeper, is a vigorous, deciduous climber that covers large facades and garage walls without the need for support structures. Its most striking display occurs in October when the foliage turns a vivid scarlet. The plant produces blue-black berries that are a food source for birds but are inedible to humans.
Care instructions
Plant in full sun or partial shade; the soil can be poor. Water during dry periods for the first two years, then the plant is low-maintenance. Prune annually in late winter (February, week 8) and keep windows, gutters, and tiles clear, as it grows rapidly and densely.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
humus-rich, loamy, well-drained, nutrient-rich
You can plant Virginia creeper in almost any ordinary garden soil. It likes loose, humus-rich and well-drained soil best, but it also copes with sandy, loamy and chalky sites. The only important thing is that no permanent waterlogging develops; on lean house walls it grows a little more slowly, but without problems.
Feeding
Light feeder
Months
Mar–Apr
Established Virginia creeper is very undemanding and needs hardly any feeding; mineral fertiliser is unnecessary. In spring as the buds break (March/April), it is enough to work a thin layer of ripe compost or a little horn shavings shallowly in around the base; on very lean soils, well-rotted farmyard manure helps as well. In the year of planting, put some compost in the planting hole so that the roots establish quickly.
Overwintering
Virginia creeper is fully hardy and gets through winter in the lowlands of Germany, Austria and Switzerland without protection. You don't need to do anything about the leaf fall in autumn; it is normal. Only protect young plants in their first winter and container plants: for young plants, a layer of leaves over the root zone; for a container, wrap the pot and place it against the house wall, and water sparingly on frost-free days.
Propagation
Methods
- Cuttings
- Layering
- From seed
The easiest way to propagate Virginia creeper is by layering or cuttings. Both methods are reliable and well suited to beginners.
Cuttings (late summer): At the end of August to the beginning of September, take this year's semi-ripe shoots 15–25 cm long. Remove all leaves except the top two, cut those remaining leaves in half to reduce water loss, and remove side shoots as well as flower and fruit buds. Insert the cuttings up to half their length in seed compost (a mix of compost soil and sand) and put the pot in a bright spot. Keep the substrate evenly, lightly moist, but avoid waterlogging. Overwinter the cuttings frost-free but cool (about 8–12 degrees), not in a warm spot by the heating. As soon as new growth appears in spring, the cutting has formed roots and can be planted out from mid to late May.
Layering (autumn or spring): In autumn or spring, bend a long, healthy shoot down to the ground, lightly nick the bark at the intended burial spot and bury this section about 10 cm deep in loose, moist soil. Fix the shoot with a wire staple or a stone so that it doesn't slip out. The tip of the shoot stays visible, pointing upwards. Cover the spot with brushwood or leaves over winter and keep it moist. When the layer is well rooted the following year, separate it from the mother plant and plant it in its final position.
Sowing (as an alternative): The seeds need cold stratification. Mix the seeds into slightly moist sand, put the mix in the fridge for about 6–8 weeks and then sow shallowly in seed compost in early spring (February to March). Alternatively, you can sow the seeds directly outdoors in autumn; they then stratify naturally over winter. Germination is irregular and the method takes longer than cuttings or layering.
For your garden
Grow Virginia creeper yourself
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Notes from real gardens
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