During the summer months, the wild wine inspires with its lush green, shiny foliage and the dense vegetation that reliably grows over entire house walls and walls. In autumn, the foliage turns golden red to scarlet and offers the viewer another intense color experience just before the hibernation.

Virginia creeper is perennial

Wild wine at a glance

  • Botanical name: Parthenocissus
  • Common names: wren vine, virgin vine, climbing wall wine, wall cat
  • Family: Grape family (Vitaceae)
  • Species: Self-climbing vine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), Tricuspid vine (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), Common vine (Parthenocissus vitacea)
  • Origin and distribution: North America as well as China, Korea and Japan
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady, nutrient-rich and humus-rich soil
  • Growth form: climbing plant
  • Growth height: up to 20 meters (depending on the type and variety)
  • Growth width: up to four meters
  • Perennial: yes
  • Flower: inconspicuous yellowish-green
  • Flowering period: June to July
  • fruits: mostly black, pea-sized
  • Foliage: three or five fingered (depending on species and variety)
  • Propagation: cuttings, offshoots
  • Hardiness: yes
  • Toxicity: Berries are inedible
  • Risk of confusion: not identical to the grapevine (Vitis vinifera)
  • Use: Greening of facades, walls, fences, etc., as ground cover
  • Special feature: except for the common virginia, it is self-climbing

Sunny and sheltered location preferred

Basically, Virginia creeper probably thrives in almost any location, even in the shade and on sandy soil. However, the autumn colors in such a place are not quite as spectacular as in a sunny and sheltered place, and the plant also thrives better when it is bright and warm. Incidentally, a location facing south or east is best suited, especially if the soil there is nutrient-rich and slightly moist.

Planting and cultivating Virginia creeper

With the exception of the common virginia vine (Parthenocissus vitacea), wild vine does not need any climbing aids, because it clings to almost any surface with the help of small adhesive plates. However, these are very stubborn and difficult to remove. However, it would be an advantage to provide the wild wine with fall protection in the form of a rope scaffolding or similar - otherwise the plant, which is up to 12 meters high and several meters wide in our latitudes, could be torn from its base in a storm or strong wind.

tips

Before you cover your house facade or garden fence with virginia creeper, first check the substrate for any damage or cracks. The very fast-growing Virginia creeper has great destructive power, as it nests in even the smallest cracks and levers them out over time - the same also applies to roof shingles, rain gutters, etc.

Category:

Herbs