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A hardy deciduous vine grown for its intense red autumn foliage and strongly vigorous nature, Virginia creeper is often mistaken in the wild for poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) by the layperson, however it can be distinguished by its compound leaf composed of five leaflets compared to poison ivy’s three leaflets. Fast-growing and tolerant of a wide range of conditions, it often finds ornamental use trained up walls, fences and arbours. It is grown on trellises for screening, is used on shaded hills for erosion control, and can be used as vigorous self-rooting groundcover. The stems send out sucker-tipped tendrils which attach themselves to surfaces with a very strong natural adhesive, letting the plant support its own weight while climbing to great heights. It has a narrower vertical habit compared to its broader spreading cousin, Boston ivy (P. tricuspidata), and wide walls require multiple plantings to fully cover. One must be certain where they intend to use this vine as the residue from the sucker-tips is near impossible to remove. It requires strong pruning to keep under control, and once established the vine is difficult to remove completely. The bitter berries, popular among wildlife, are toxic to humans and the sap can be a skin irritant to sensitive individuals. The seeds spread by birds can lead to Virginia creeper seedlings growing as weeds in the surrounding area. However, any gardener willing to put up with the physical maintenance required will be rewarded with lush climbing green cover and, come autumn, with beautiful red foliage that shows up all but the most exotic flower blooms.

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