Virginia Creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

• Position: full sun or shade
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: June to August
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Justifiably popular, thanks to its unrivalled, spectacular autumn colour, this vigorous creeper none the less needs to be handled with care. Given a sunny spot, its five-pointed, deeply divided, mid-green leaves turn brilliant shades of crimson-red in autumn, and are often followed by dark purple berries. It's a showstopping plant that will quickly romp across a large wall but it needs lots of space, regular pruning and will smother other plants it finds in its way. All of this make it an unsuitable choice for small gardens or for laissez-faire gardeners.
  
  
• Garden care: Provide some support until the plant is well established. (This may take up to two years). Once established, tie in stray shoots and prune in early winter to keep the plant within bounds, paying particular attention to stems that are encroaching on windows, guttering or roofs.

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