Virginia creeper is often used for greening facades, but it grows an average of two meters per year - it is therefore one of the very fast-growing climbing plants. Whether three-lobed or five-lobed virgin vine - as wild wine is also called - you should cut them back regularly. Watch out for any bird nests, however, as sparrows and other songbirds like to build their homes in dense foliage.

Virginia creeper grows very quickly and should therefore be removed regularly, especially around windows

Don't let Virginia creeper grow unchecked

Virginia creeper growing unchecked can cause serious damage to the masonry and roof, which is why you should not only repair any cracks in the wall before planting, but also keep the tendrils away from rain gutters, roof tiles, roller shutter boxes, etc.

Cut back in late summer

Pruning is best done in late summer or early autumn, although you can proceed quite radically: Virginia creeper is very tolerant of pruning and will very reliably sprout again in the following spring. However, the adhesive feet, which the wild wine uses to climb up the wall, can get stuck very stubbornly. However, they can be easily removed with various chemical agents or with a gas burner.

cut cuttings

Virginia creeper can be wonderfully propagated from cuttings that are cut in the fall.

  • Select approximately 15 to 20 centimeters long, rather woody shoots.
  • Ideally, they have three to four eyes.
  • The cut surface should be kept as slanted as possible,
  • this allows the cutting to absorb water more easily.
  • Mix equal parts compost, potting soil, and sand
  • or use commercially available potting soil.
  • Plant the cuttings in there
  • and press them down well.
  • Keep the substrate evenly moist
  • and place the seed pots in a light and warm location,
  • but without direct sunlight.

The cuttings overwinter indoors if possible and are eventually planted out in situ the following spring. Alternatively, Virginia creeper can also be propagated using lowering plants, which simply remain on the mother plant until they are rooted.

tips

Incidentally, pruning is not only possible in late summer, but - depending on necessity and growth rate - can be done at any time during the entire growing season between April and October. Limiting growth through regular pruning is important to avoid potential damage.

Category:

Herbs