Virginia Creeper

Each leaflet is about 3"-7" long and an inch or two wide. Also known as Woodbine, it will send up sprouts and seed itself, and established plantings may smother shrubs and trees. Where there is nothing to climb, it attaches to the ground with adventitious roots, and makes an excellent cover for slopes or other places where grass is not practical or desired. The Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a fast-growing, high-climbing vine that attaches itself with tendrils which expand, disk-like, on their tips. The deciduous leaves that radiate outward from a leaf stem, like spokes on a wheel. Virginia creeper will thrive in most soils, in sun or shade, with or without a structure to climb on. Easy to grow, the Virginia Creeper can get out of hand if not managed. The berries are blue-black, less than a half-inch across and much relished by birds. The leaves turn fiery red in fall and are very showy. Virginia creeper is favored for its brilliant fall foliage and as a manitenance-free ground cover. The individual flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, and arranged in elaborate long-stemmed clusters, with each flower at the tip of its own flower stem. When allowed to clamber over trees or other tall structures, it develops elongated leafy festoons that are especially showy. ... more