The spiny vine (Parthenocissus) is a small genus in the vine family (Vitaceae) and is distantly related to the true vine (Vitis). However, their fruits - in contrast to the sweet grapes - are not edible. Instead, the strong-growing and robust climbing plants are mostly used to green walls or house walls. As a rule, the perennial plants are quite hardy, but sometimes need a light winter protection.
Most Virginia creeper varieties are hardy
Virginia creeper mostly hardy
Many types of Virginia creeper are very hardy and can easily overwinter outdoors. This mainly affects the two most popular varieties
- Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Veitchii'
- Parthenocissus quinquefolia 'Engelmannii'.
In general, both Parthenocissus tricuspidata ('three-pointed virgin vine') and Parthenocissus quinquefolia ('self-climbing virgin vine') are considered to be quite robust in winter weather conditions. Only the Parthenocissus henryana, which is often used as a balcony or house plant, is not frost hardy and should therefore be overwintered in cold house conditions.
Pay attention to the right location
However, in order to get through the winter healthy, wild wine needs the right location. The plant feels most comfortable in a sunny and sheltered place; a south or south-east facing area protected from the wind would be ideal. For added protection, you can cover the root area with spruce branches and/or foliage.
Protect young plants adequately
Although older specimens of wild wine are usually hardy, young ones are not. In the first two winters in particular, young Virginia creeper should be given additional protection, for example by protecting the root area and the main trunk
- Spruce branches and foliage
- a jute sack (10.99€) (filled with straw or leaves)
- or gardener's fleece
cover. Cuttings or offshoots from the current year should better spend the winter at a maximum of 10 degrees Celsius in a frost-free, cool room. Since the Virginia creeper sheds its leaves in autumn, you can also overwinter the plants in the dark.
tips
It is also important for sufficient winter hardiness that you stop fertilizing the Virginia creeper in good time - at the latest in early / mid-August - and prune the plant in autumn. The artificial supply of nutrients prevents the new shoots from maturing, so that they remain soft and are more sensitive to unfavorable weather.