The different Virginia creepers or ornamental vines

Growing Virginia Creeper

Ornamental vines are ideally planted in spring or autumn, when the soil is still warm and sufficiently moist to encourage good root establishment.

They thrive in well-drained soils rich in organic matter, as excess water could hinder their growth. After planting, regular watering is recommended for the first few weeks, then only during prolonged dry spells.

A light pruning in late winter helps control their growth and promotes dense, harmonious foliage. Finally, an annual application of compost or organic fertiliser at the base of the plant contributes to vigorous growth and vibrant autumn colours.

Virginia creepers (Parthenocissus)

Virginia creepers originate from North America and Asia. They are robust and vigorous plants, which cling on their own thanks to tendrils with suction cups at their tips. They feature large green leaves that turn orange to purple in autumn. Plant them in partial shade, in cool, rich but well-drained soil.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata Veitchii - Boston Ivy

Very popular, this variety boasts beautiful three-lobed green leaves that turn red or purple in autumn. It produces dark blue berries.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 10 m

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Parthenocissus tricuspidata Fenway Park - Boston Ivy

This variety has bright, luminous yellow-green foliage. Its leaves turn more yellow when planted in full sun and slightly greener in shade. It takes on fiery hues in autumn.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 10 m

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Parthenocissus tricuspidata Atropurpurea- Boston Ivy

This Virginia creeper offers striking deep red foliage, particularly intense. It turns a beautiful bronze in summer before becoming red again in autumn.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 15 m

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Parthenocissus quinquefolia Engelmannii - Virginia Creeper

This variety is remarkable for its foliage, which turns a vibrant red in autumn. The leaves are also slightly finer than the typical species.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 12 m

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Parthenocissus quinquefolia Star Shower- Virginia Creeper

This Virginia creeper has very original foliage, green variegated with creamy white. In autumn, it turns pinkish-red, a softer and less vivid shade than other varieties.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 10 m

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Parthenocissus henryana

This is a stunning botanical species with bicoloured foliage, green marked by broad white veins. Its leaves turn bright red in autumn.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 7 m

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Ampelopsis

These are Virginia creepers very similar to Parthenocissus. They are notable for their colourful, inedible berries.

Ampelopsis glandulosa var. maximowiczii

This variety, native to Asia, is interesting for its decorative fruits, which form small blue and purple berries with very beautiful hues! Its foliage turns colour in autumn.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 4 m

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The true ornamental vines (Vitis)

These are real vines, of the Vitis genus, like those cultivated for grapes. You can train them to climb a trellis or pergola; they will cling using their tendrils. Plant them in well-draining soil, in a sunny or lightly shaded position.

Vitis coignetiae - Ornamental Vine

Native to Asia, this vine features large green leaves that take on beautiful autumn hues, turning yellow, orange, then red. The leaves are divided into three to five lobes. It bears dark blue fruits in autumn, though they are not edible. It has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Award of Garden Merit.

• Flowering time July
• Height at maturity 12 m

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Vitis vinifera Purpurea - Grape Vine

This vine boasts attractive green leaves tinged with red, which later turn purple in autumn. They are slightly smaller than those of the previous species. In autumn, it produces small black berries, which are not edible. Preferably plant it in full sun.

• Flowering time July
• Height at maturity 6 m

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How to use Virginia creepers effectively in your garden?

Ornamental vines are perfect for dressing up the garden with elegance and dynamism. Their evolving foliage throughout the seasons adds a natural and decorative touch, whether in a large space or a small green corner.

Which structures can they climb on?

• Walls and façades: Virginia creepers (Parthenocissus) cling on their own thanks to their suckers and quickly cover a wall. They are ideal for giving buildings a charming green cover without damaging them.
• Pergolas and arbours: True vines (Vitis) are perfect for creating pleasant shade in summer while letting light through in winter. They can also provide decorative clusters.
• Trellises and fences: Perfect for structuring a garden and hiding unsightly wire fencing or palisades.
• Trees and shrubs: Some varieties can climb trees without suffocating them, creating a natural and wild effect with stunning results.

Pairing with other climbing plants or shrubs

Ornamental vines can be combined with other plants to create beautiful contrasts:

• With climbing roses: for colourful and romantic blooms.
• With clematis: their delicate flowers complement the dense foliage of vines.
• With evergreen shrubs (such as holly or laurel): to maintain greenery in winter.
• With ivy: for an evergreen effect and an interesting contrast between deciduous and evergreen foliage.

Ideas for small spaces: varieties suited to balconies and terraces

If space is limited, some more compact varieties can be grown in pots on a balcony or terrace:

• Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Minutifolia’: a slower-growing Virginia creeper, ideal in a container with a trellis.
• Ampelopsis brevipedunculata ‘Elegans’: a beautiful variegated vine with decorative berries, which grows well in pots.
• Vitis vinifera ‘Purpurea’: an ornamental vine with purple foliage that can be trained on a small support.

Did you know?: Ornamental vines, particularly Ampelopsis and some Parthenocissus, produce decorative berries that feed birds in autumn and winter, thus contributing to local biodiversity. Their dense foliage also provides shelter for many beneficial insects, such as ladybirds, and can even serve as a refuge for lizards and small mammals.