Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Lowii'

RHS Plant Profile
Boston ivy 'Lowii'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Lowii'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Boston ivy 'Lowii' RHS

Synonyms

Ampelopsis lowii

RHS Recommended

Plants for pollinators
Climber Wall Shrub
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
5 Suppliers

A smaller and less vigorous Boston ivy, with small, bright green leaves, to 10cm across, with many deep lobes. In autumn the leaves turn red and purple

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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)
H5

RHS Recommended: for People & Planet

RHS Recommended Plants for People & Planet

For Water Resilience

Plants for Flood Resilience

Plants that can help manage heavy rain by catching rainfall, slowing surface run-off, encouraging water into the soil or taking it up through their roots, contributing to flood resilient gardens.

Plants for both Wet and Dry Conditions

Plants that cope with changing soil moisture, including wet winters and extended summer dry. Once established, they grow as wet and dry conditions alternate.

For Temperature Resilience

Plants for Temperature Cooling

Plants that cool air temperature by providing shade, transpiration, or reflection to reduce heat impact on people, animals, soil or other ground surface.

Plants for Wind Shelter

Plants with dense canopies often grown as a tall thick hedge or grouping can block wind and shelter gardens, buildings and people.

For Carbon Storage

Plants for Carbon Storage

Plants that can take up carbon (CO₂) through photosynthesis and store it within the plant or deposit it by their roots into the soil.

For Biodiversity

Plants for Pollinators

Plants that have flowering properties (pollen and/or nectar) that are particularly beneficial for pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies.

Growing conditions for maximum benefit

This plant will provide the maximum benefits if it is healthy and allowed to grow to maturity

For Bio-Diversity

  • Plants for Pollinators

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 eaten; skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten; skin 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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any fertile, well-drained soil in sun or shade. Young plants may require support initially

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Take softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Climber and wall shrubs

Pruning

See pruning group 11, in early winter and if necessary also in summer

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus