Parthenocissus quinquefolia- Virginia Creeper

The Parthenocissus quinquefolia is the true Virginia creeper vine; a hardy and easy to grow climbing plant, appreciated for its foliage of shiny green tinged with crimson red in autumn. Its tendrils equipped with suction cups allow it to cling to any support without risk of damage. Its characteristic foliage, divided into 5 leaflets, can blend into a tree, cover an old wall, or adorn a facade with its discreet vegetation amidst the surrounding greenery. The magic happens in autumn, when this vegetal cloak is transformed by red tones.

The Parthenocissus quinquefolia is also known as Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Vitis quinquefolia, or Virginia Creeper. It is a plant of the vitaceae family, just like the grapevines used for winemaking. It is a woody climbing shrub native to North America, found in Canada, the United States (Minnesota to Florida), Mexico, and Guatemala. This untamed and very hardy Virginia creeper has naturalised in many countries such as France and England. The plant, with its fast growth, can easily reach a height of 15m (49ft), with a spread of 10-15m (33-49ft). It has deciduous leaves, 8 to 20cm (3 to 8in) long, with 5 toothed, ovate leaflets of medium green colour, shiny. In autumn, the foliage gradually turns orange, then crimson red and purple. On the stem, opposite the point of leaf insertion, either a tendril or a cluster of flowers develops. Each tendril has 7 to 8 branches that curve to form a small hook. Upon contact with support, this small hook can form a ball secreting sticky substances. The inconspicuous flowering takes place in June-July, then gives way to small blue-black fruits that are not edible for mammals, but appreciated by birds.

This Virginia creeper is hardy up to -25°C (-13°F), it grows in deep, preferably clayey soil, in shaded, semi-shaded, or even sunny locations. The colour of the foliage tends to lose its brilliance in full sun. Once well established, the plant tolerates drought very well, allowing it to be installed at the boundaries of a large garden, in a somewhat wild place, on a shaded slope that is never watered, even in the Mediterranean. Pruning at any time keeps the plant within its space. It is also a good hedge plant, to be combined with a Clematis vitalba or a Lonicera similis var. delavayi for example. Generous, abundant, and resplendent, the Parthenocissus quinquefolia is an easy-to-care-for climbing plant, ornamental, but also very useful for covering walls and facades in all regions, due to its thermal regulation properties for buildings.

Also discover our range of Virginia creeper plants: there is certainly one that will be suitable for your garden.