Parthenocissus quinquefolia

RHS Plant Profile

Virginia creeper

Other common names

American ivy, American woodbine, false grape, five-leaved ivy, five-leaves, true Virginia creeper, wild wood vine, woodbine, false Virginia creeper

Synonyms

Ampelopsis hederacea, Parthenocissus inserta misapplied, Vitis quinquefolia, Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Vitis hederacea, Cissus mexicana DC.

Climber Wall Shrub

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This plant is listed as an invasive non-native species in Great Britain – see Cultivation section for details A vigorous, large deciduous climber. Leaves have five ovate leaflets, turning bright red and orange in autumn. Inconspicuous flowers are followed by blue-black berries

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Vitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eatenskin irritant - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Parthenocissus are vigorous deciduous climbers with either tendrils or disk-like suckers, and lobed or palmate leaves which often colour brilliantly in autumn. Inconspicuous green flowers are sometimes followed by attractive blue or black berries
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Eastern N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause it to grow in the wild in Great Britain. See advice on invasive non-native species for further information

Propagation

See cultivation notes

Pests

See cultivation notes

Diseases

See cultivation notes