Going Native: Virginia Creeper

Fall is the time of year I truly appreciate Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia. It is a stand out in the garden with its beautiful dark red leaves and rich blue berries. My inherited chain link fence is an ideal trellis for my creeper. It keeps this native vine somewhat in line and in turn, the vine hides the not-so-beautiful fence, beautifully.

I have read that Virginia creeper may cause skin irritation. Its very nature may also irritate - it's creepy. It creeps up into trees. "It creeps and leaps and glides and slides" along the ground in just about any condition and soil - so beware. But so far, it has not irritated me in any way.

It certainly isn't irritating to birds. Many birds eat the berries of Virginia creeper. It is also the host plant for several types of sphinx moths, including of course, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx Moth.

Virginia creeper safely clings to buildings without support by small adhesive discs at the end of its tendrils and will not damage a structure.

If you would like to read more about Virginia creeper, click here. If you would like to purchase this vine for your garden, it is available from Brushwood Nursery.