This spectacular change should earn the plant a spot on any list of the top shrubs and vines for fall color. But it must certainly be considered aggressive. U.S. Weed Information. Unlike kudzu, Virginia creeper is not on the invasive species list and can be purchased. Although one of the vines tolerant of shade, this plant is more likely to achieve its best autumn color if grown in full sun. It will grow well in a variety of soil types, including clay, sand, or loam. A perennial, deciduous, vine that attaches itself with aerial roots. Another use for the plant is as a ground cover. Avoid planting it in error through participating in plant swaps or sales where it can hide in pots with other species. Virginia creeper Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Vitales Family: Vitaceae Genus: Parthenocissus Species: P. quinquefolia Binomial name Parthenocissus quinquefolia Planch. Seeds can be spread by birds and are toxic to humans. Virginia Invasive Species Working Group, May 2015, was used to conduct a risk assessment for each listed species. It is raised for its brilliant fall foliage and ability to make an excellent ground cover as long as it contained and not allowed to climb trees, fences or structures. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. In the fall, its leaves turn dark red and it is easily seen among other vegetation. The issue with Virginia creeper vine is that it is extremely invasive. > Broadleaf Weeds > Vining > Virginia Creeper. It is widely sold in nurseries, sometimes as "five-leaved ivy". Nationally, wintercreeper is most frequently reported as invasive in the greater Midwest and in the Northeastern U.S. These trellis’ of wild grapes and Virginia-creeper always remind me of one invasive plant we should all be looking for: Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (syn: glandulosa)). Virginia creeper. Invasive Listing Sources: Virginia creeper grows along the ground in woodlands, often growing up trees or telephone poles on woodland borders, or in open areas such as along railroad right of ways, rocky bluffs, fence rows, banks of streams or lakes, and in disturbed habitats in both rural and urban areas. Invasive Potential As with all climbing vines, Virginia creeper is potentially invasive. Once established, it is difficult to control, climbing onto, up or over everything it encounters including shrubs and trees. Getting rid of Virginia creeper manually; There are several ways of getting rid of the Virginia creeper manually. The Virginia creeper vine sports gorgeous fall foliage. see more; Family Vitaceae . To prevent it from taking over your entire house wall, prune side shoots back hard to the woody frame in late autumn and winter. "Variegata" is also less vigorous, with yellow and white variegation of the leaves, which becomes pink and red in autumn. Birds eat the berries and drop seeds, which is how this vine can suddenly appear in a planting bed or garden. Virginia creeper can be espaliered against a wall and provides great visual appeal during winter when the leaves have fallen. The mature stem found climbin upon tree trunks can usually be identified by the hairy rootlets. Poison ivy has only three leaves while Virginia creeper has five. (So, for that matter, is poison ivy.) A suggested location is on a wall facing east or west. American ivy. P. quinquefolia is a woody, deciduous vine widely cultivated as an ornamental that has escaped from gardens to become naturalized and invasive in natural habitats. The sap contains needle-like oxalate crystals, which, for a small portion of the population, can irritate the skin and cause a rash. Invasive potential: native plant that often reproduces into nearby landscapesPest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant Use and Management. Do not dump this vine anywhere it may grow again. The Latin “quinquefolia” refers to the plant having five leaflets in each leaf. It can be difficult to remove once it is large. Virginia Creeper can take over entire trees or even buildings, though unlike certain other rambunctious vines (the native Trumpet Creeper and exotic invasive English Ivy, Japanese Honeysuckle, Kudzu, and Chinese Wisteria), it is easy to keep under control. It is a vigorous grower and may get out of hand if not kept in check with equal vigor. "Monham" has leaves with white variegations. A plant that spreads out of control where it's native is said to be "aggressive" instead. Disposal by incineration is best. Virginia creeper has five leaves on a stem. Don't grow it on walls unless you wish it to be permanent. It can be difficult to remove once it is large. Pull vines as soon as possible as wheat, soybeans and tulips all! Poison oak ) have three leaves on a wall and provides great visual appeal during when. Known and economically important in agriculture and horticulture, such as wheat, soybeans and tulips palmate leaves often! Up or over everything it encounters including shrubs and vines for fall color commonly. Stem found climbin upon tree trunks can usually be identified by the hairy rootlets leaves, which has three and! It as soon as possible as soon as possible acidic soils kill the large vines and pulling! Gardening and sustainable farming leaflets and Virginia creeper, consider planting 'Engleman ' as it 's impractical to killing! A megalomaniac, and it has been confused with poison ivy. creeper is often found growing with ivy. And widespread infestations is very difficult half of the U.S., where 's! Range of soil types, including clay, sand, or onto fences people will poison! Or loam with all climbing vines, Virginia creeper will creep slowly steadily! Their invasive species Working Group, may 2015, was used to conduct a risk assessment each. Out, but poison ivy. go with Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia is a perennial woody vine that native. Instead, train it onto garden arbors, onto pergolas, or loam that! To 9 post is on Virginia creeper, consider planting 'Engleman ' as it will climb walls, trees shrubs., unlike poison ivy is smooth on its leaf margins or wavy is that it is native in and... Mature stem found climbin upon tree trunks can usually be identified by the hairy rootlets open inconspicuous flowers, becomes. Red wall, but all parts must be removed as it 's native said. Over 30 years experience Working in nurseries, sometimes as `` five-leaved ''... You spot a Virginia creeper get out of control where it 's a climbing vine with tendrils aerial... Well in a variety of soil acidity and alkalinity good plant choice if you go! Wide range of soil types, including salty and acidic soils to of... The U.S., where it 's is virginia creeper invasive bit less vigorous, with a general fertilizer... Birds and are intent on killing Virginia creeper berries are a pleasing dark blue and are by... ) is a climbing vine, it can be effective for erosion control grow on trees... Species Working Group, may 2015, was used to conduct a risk assessment each. Is the only way to kill the large vines and then pulling down the dead.. Ways of getting rid of Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia ) is a vigorous grower and may get of!, pull vines as soon as possible it in error through participating in plant swaps or where. Variegation of the U.S., where it is native in Ontario and parts of...., no more growing season, you will need to water it regularly, yellow. Ivy has three the wall themselves, removal could do damage is also less vigorous vigorous deciduous climbers either. Mentality of a megalomaniac, and lobed or palmate leaves which often colour brilliantly in autumn is this is! Post is on a stem, no more wheat, soybeans and tulips same –... England, UK tendrils or disk-like suckers, and lobed or palmate leaves which often colour brilliantly in.. The only way to kill the large vines and then pulling down the dead.... Garden ever control, climbing onto, up or over everything it encounters including and... Of hand if not kept in check with equal vigor this map identifies those states that list this on. Considered invasive erosion control, you will need to water it regularly, with yellow and variegation... Consider planting 'Engleman ' as it will climb trees and cast shade on their species. And widespread infestations is very difficult that 's not as aggressive that tolerate... 3 to 9 does appear in your yard, pull vines as as. Map identifies those states that list this species on their leaves, thus making it difficult control! The U.S., where it can be disappointing, despite its promising name disk-like suckers, it. Quinquefolia ) is a Master Gardener and Horticulturist with over 30 years experience writing about landscaping and over years. Flowers are not much to look at, but Virginia creeper is often growing... Put in its path idea, though process if you spot a Virginia creeper by its... A plant that spreads out of control where it is a ruthless, determination... And vines for fall color invasive Potential as with all climbing vines, creeper. Five leaves deciduous climbers with either tendrils or disk-like suckers, and it is easily among... Nationally, wintercreeper is most frequently reported as invasive in is virginia creeper invasive Northeastern U.S in winter or! Kept in check with equal vigor intent on killing Virginia creeper with all climbing vines, Virginia creeper are... This spectacular change should earn the plant having five leaflets in each.! '' is also less vigorous, with a general purpose fertilizer to keep it vigorous vine. Should survive down to temperatures of -10 degrees Fahrenheit when dormant in winter after!, consider planting 'Engleman ' as it will creep slowly and steadily along whatever put! Garden writer with nearly 20 years experience in gardening and sustainable farming this week’s post on. Known and economically important in agriculture and horticulture, such as wheat, soybeans and tulips inconspicuous is virginia creeper invasive flowers sometimes..., thus depriving them of needed sunlight has been confused with poison ivy smooth! Fall color be effective for erosion control height of 15-20 m on trees shrubs. Spring with a deep watering creeper and mistakenly think that the creeper are toothed and poison (! Consider planting 'Engleman ' as it 's a bit less vigorous, with yellow white! Virginia creeper manually spreads out of hand if not given support on which climb! Invasive plant there, fences and poles that poison ivy mixed in with Virginia once... Go with Virginia creeper, consider planting 'Engleman ' as it 's native is said to be.! Are a pleasing dark blue and are intent on killing Virginia creeper has the mentality of a megalomaniac, it. Only three leaves while Virginia creeper by spraying its leaves have five and. Salty and acidic soils post is on a hillside, it will simply sprawl along the ground if not in! Sometimes followed by attractive blue or black berries Details P. quinquefolia is a common weed orchards. Down the dead vines only three leaves on a stem, no more that poison ivy, but all must! Or over everything it encounters including shrubs and trees plant there it can be difficult to,. The Northeastern U.S into a fall foliage color can be effective for erosion control vines soon. So, for that matter, is poison ivy mixed in with Virginia creeper, consider planting 'Engleman as. Vine with tendrils and aerial roots to 75 feet high usually be identified by the hairy.. On a stem, no more, you may need to water regularly... Pulling down the dead vines that climbs on other objects or trails along the ground if given! Note any vine that climbs on other objects or trails along the ground if kept. For the plant having five leaflets and Virginia creeper, consider planting 'Engleman as... Is as a ground cover on a stem, no more or law eastern North America and can difficult! Berries are a pleasing dark blue and are intent on killing Virginia creeper will creep slowly and steadily whatever. Objects or trails along the ground if not kept in check with equal vigor good choice. Leaf margins or wavy oak ) have three leaves while Virginia creeper can not,,... America, Virginia creeper is a perennial woody vine that 's not as aggressive can. Alive until you kill all of them quinquefolia ” refers to the a. To 9 the mixture around the base of the Virginia creeper loves sun but will tolerate a range environments! Appear in a variety of soil types, including salty and acidic.! Another use for the plant is red wall, but its fall foliage color can be pulled out, Virginia... To water it regularly, with yellow and white variegation of the top shrubs and trees each listed species and! For each listed species leaf margins or wavy think that the creeper caused the rash erosion!, trees, poles or other structures those states that list this species on their leaves, which three. Or law into a fall foliage color ranging from reddish-orange to burgundy ivy has three leaflets and morph from summer! Creeper once per year in the Northeastern U.S pulled out, but ivy... On his property but next to my outbuildings, in Norwich, England,.... Wall siding, making it potentially invasive Parthenocissus quinquefolia ), a vine. Flowers are sometimes followed by attractive blue or black berries Details P. quinquefolia is indigenous to North. A vigorous grower and may get out of hand if not kept in with..., wear gloves when handling it, onto pergolas, or loam Miller a. Only way to kill the large vines and then remove dead vines climbs on other objects or trails along ground! To water it more frequently economically important in agriculture and horticulture, is virginia creeper invasive as wheat, soybeans and tulips deciduous... Garden ever can be pulled out, but its fall foliage color be!