Virginia creeper, superb in every season

Virginia creeper, although sometimes mistaken for ivy, has many advantages when it comes to covering walls and pergolas.

Key Virginia creeper facts

Name – Parthenocissus
Family – Vitaceae
Type – vine

Height – 32 to 65 feet (10 to 20 meters)
Exposure – full sun, part sun
Soil – ordinary

Foliage: deciduous  –  Flowering: June-July (very light)

Care is very easy and the decorative impact of Virginia creeper is remarkable.

Planting Virginia creeper

Better to plant Virginia creeper in spring or in fall, when not freezing.

Regularly water over the 1^st year after planting.

• At the beginning, you must tether the plant to the lattice since it isn’t yet able to attach on its own.
• After a year or two, your Virginia creeper will start climbing on its own to cover your wall.
• Discover our guidelines on planting shrubs.

Pruning Virginia creeper

Let your Virginia creeper climb as it wishes, that is when it is most beautiful.

If it covers too large a space, or to keep it from obstructing windows and roots, you can prune it anytime.

Note that it’s important to keep it from reaching your gutters and roof: the powerful vine can lift shingles and cause leaks.

So simply come back at it every once in a while with sharp pruners and the trick is done!

All there is to know about Virginia creeper

This woody climber has the advantage of growing quickly and of creating true walls of color from the beginning of fall with flamboyant hues of red, yellow and orange.

Just like ivy, its hooks don’t damage old walls, and so there is no problem in letting climb up the wall directly.

It’s fruits and berries aren’t edible, even if it’s part of the same family as the grape vine.