| PSC 2620: Woody Trees and Shrub | Course Home | Week 4 |
Parthenocissus quinquefolia - Virginia Creeper
Plant Viewer
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| Virginia Creeper is a climbing, woody vine. It will quickly and densely cover any surface it can climb. | The leaf is 4-5 inches long and pinnately compound, with five leaflets. |
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| Blue fruit appears by fall. It is held on bright red stems. Image: Wikipedia.org | The bright red fall color is very good, and lasts for 3-4 weeks. Image: Wikipedia.org |
Plant Description
Parthenocissus quinquefolia is a vigorous woody vine, and vigorous to the point that it could be considered an aggressive and noxious weed in many circumstances. It grows extremely fast in almost any condition, and very little seems to stop it. At maturity, the vine can spread up to 50 feet long. The vine climbs by means of holdfasts at the end of tendrils, which hold the vine very securely.
The dark green leaves are palmately compound, with five leaflets per leaf, and can grow 4-5 inches long. Each leaflet is lanceolate in shape with a serrated margin. The leaves are arranged alternately on the stem. New leaves form along young branches of the vine and have a bronze overcast. In fall, the leaves turn bright red, creating a very stunning display of color.
In the fall, blue berries ripen on the vine and provide some interest into the winter. The 1/4 inch diameter fruit appears in panicles on bright red stems. Do not confuse the fruit with that of Mahonia, which is a lighter cast of blue and appears in tight clusters, instead of panicles.
Landscape Use
Because of its ability to tightly grasp a vertical surface, it is well suited for use as a vegetative screen or to soften the side of a building. Care should be taken to provide adequate space for the vine to spread.
Points of Interest
If there is a plant that is immortal, this may be it. I have tried many different strategies to remove a specimen from my yard for 5 years now, with limited success. Vigilance is required to successfully remove one.