By Julie Christensen
Stroll through almost any timberland setting in the United States and you ’ll probably see Virginia creeper(Quinquefolia ) . This native climbing vine is indigenous to most of the country and struggle over rock walls , trees and fences . It is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3B through 10.Birds and animals feed on the berries , while cattle and cervid feed on the plant ’s leaves . Virginia tree creeper has a dim emergence pattern , defecate it an ideal habitat for birds and small animals . Historically , the roots and barque of the plant were used to do by dropsy , rheumatoid arthritis and coughs .
Virginia creeper works equally well in a suburban or urban landscape . It grows quickly , requires small care and mould a dumb mat , make it a good camouflage for fence , disgorge or other eyesores . Its dim root system helps prevent ground erosion on slopes . It brook almost any grease type and turn in full sun to partial wraith . In damp conditions , it can reach heights of 60 feet marvelous . Virginia creeper has compound leaves , containing 5 leafage on each stem . The leaves cast between 2 and 6 inch recollective and are finely serrate . When they first emerge in the outflow , the leave-taking are red . They turn light-green as they grow and become brilliant red or purple in the free fall .
Inconspicuous greenish - livid flowers bear purple to smuggled yield in the fall . The yield is extremely toxic to humans , but birds enjoy it . Virginia tree creeper is often discombobulate with toxicant ivy , but here ’s an soft way to state the diference : poison ivy ’s leaves grow in groupings of 3 , while Virginia creeper has 5 leaflets . Additionally , poisonous substance ivy ’s berries are usually waxy white to light green , rather than purple . A note of caution : although Virginia crawler wo n’t cause a spartan reaction , some multitude do receive its sap irritating . utilize gloves when handle the plant life and wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water to avoid a skin rash .
How to Grow Virginia Creeper
Virginia creeper , like most native plant , is a pushover to grow and can become invasive in rich , dampish dirt . Transplant a greenhouse plant or take hardwood cutting . If the plant life develop wild near your house , only dig up a few small works and move them . Keep plants evenly moist , especially during the first growing season as ascendant become established . Established plants seldom call for irrigation or fertilizing , except in very poor spring up conditions . Mulch plant with 2 to 3 inch of Grant Wood chips to maintain moisture and keep down widow’s weeds .
To spring up by source , sow Virginia creeper in the fall , planting it 3/8 inch rich . Virginia crawler seed need a period of dusty stratification to break dormancy .
Prune Virginia creeper back during the growing season if it becomes boisterous and dig up up any plants that spread . Keep Virginia creeper off Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrubs . It will slowly gag other works and blocks off light . Virginia crawler attaches itself to Freemasonry and bulwark with adhesive disks . It is difficult to remove and should be considered a lasting planting .
Virginia creeper is in general , a low - sustenance florescence vine . You may notice powdery mildew , peculiarly in late summertime , but it seldom causes serious trouble . Caterpillars , leaf hopper and beetle may feed on the leave , but in most case , you may ignore the legal injury . The plant is usually vigorous enough to recover from any plague . to boot , mature plants are usually so big that treating louse and disease problems can be difficult .
Varieties
Although vernacular Virginia creeper arise well in most railway yard , you might essay several improved horticultural kind for increase pest resistance . Below are a few to look at :
To learn more about Virginia crawler , visit the following links :
Virginia Creeperfrom the University of Illinois
Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia Creeperfrom the University of Florida IFAS Extension
When she ’s not indite about gardening , food and canning , Julie Christensen love spending time in her garden , which includes perennial , vegetables and yield tree . She ’s written hundreds of horticulture article for the Gardening Channel , Garden Guides and San Francisco Gate , as well as several e - books .
