Virginia Creeper
Woody vine climbing to 15-25 m via adhesive discs. Features compound leaves with five leaflets, turning brilliant red in fall. Produces small, bluish-black berries. Adaptable to various soil conditions and full sun to full shade. Provides food and cover for birds and small mammals. Useful for erosion control on slopes and as a fast-growing screen. Can be aggressive in ideal conditions. Native to eastern and central North America.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: Green (inconspicuous)
Bloom Time: Mid-Summer
Sun Requirements: Sun to Shade
Moisture: Moist-Drained to Dry
Phenology: New growth emerges late May. Inconspicuous flowers appear July. Blue-black berries mature September. Brilliant red fall color develops late September-October.
Wildlife Value: Berries eaten by >25 bird species; important cover for nesting birds; flowers attract native bees; excellent wildlife shelter
Habit Over Time: A vigorous climbing vine that also functions as a groundcover, spreading through both runners and self-clinging stems. When growing horizontally, it creates a loose network of stems that allow other plants to grow through. While it can spread extensively, its open growth pattern allows it to weave through plantings without smothering them. Can be contained through regular editing.
Height: Climbing (30-50 feet)