Virginia Creeper / Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Family: Grape / Vitaceae
Characteristics: Virginia Creeper is a deciduous vine with palmate compound leaves, medium texture, and fast growth rate. It climbs by branched tendrils (slender curling extensions along the stems) that have adhesive-like tips which form enough of an attachment to make it self-supporting. Blue berries are borne in fall. Autumn leaf color is scarlet red.
Landscape uses: Virginia creeper is a good plant for quickly covering fences, walls, and arbors. It is extremely easy to grow and is tolerant of most sites and soil conditions. In nature it may be somewhat invasive. For landscapes, it is a low maintenance vine with excellent fall color.
Size: A climbing vine growing 30 to 50 feet
Zones: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Habitat: Bottomland and oak hickory forests, in moist shade.
Native to: New England to Florida and Mexico, west to Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri.
Comments: Seeds are eaten by birds