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James H. Schutte
Vitaceae
PARTHENOCISSUS quinquefolia var. engelmannii
Virginia Creeper
This North American native can be quite vigorous and will cover a stone wall or fence in no time. Virginia creeper is a tough, woody vine that clings to surfaces via spidery tendrils tipped with flattened adhesive pads called holdfasts. In the wild, it is found across much of eastern North America from Maine to Florida eastward into Texas where it exists in forests and rambles up trees. It is deciduous and has deep-green palm-shaped compound leaves with five leaflets (quinquefolia means "five-leaved"). In the autumn its foliage turns fiery hues of red and orange.
Virginia creeper blooms with inconspicuous flat-topped clusters of green flowers that mature into black berries. These are eaten by many birds and small mammals, which in turn distribute the plants freely.
This vine grows in full sun to shade and tolerates many soil types as long as they are well-drained. It can be planted along buildings or stone walls, though some worry that such vines can damage mortar. It is a bit too vigorous for arbors, but may be well-suited to large pergolas. This is such a common and pervasive native that it may appear in the yard unexpectedly.
9 - 1
3 - 9
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vine/Liana
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
30'-50' / 9.1m - 15.2m
Early Summer
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Neutral
Average
Clay, Loam, Sand
Wet Site, Pollution, Drought, Salt
Fast
Average Water
Vining/Climbing
Spring, Summer, Fall
Insignificant
Yellow Green
Black
Bronze
Green
Crimson
Tan
No
Single
Yes
Coarse
Matte
Exfoliating
Vine
Sometimes
Birds
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