Chinese Virginia creeper

Sun

Partial shade is ideal; tolerates full shade and full sun where the soil stays moist. Give it afternoon shade in hot climates.

Water

Water regularly during establishment, keeping the root zone moist but not waterlogged. Once established, water deeply during prolonged dry spells.

Soil

Moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter; tolerates clay, loam and sandy soil, and a broad pH range.

Height

20-30 ft (6-9 m), potentially taller on a large support

Spread

8-15 ft (2.4-4.6 m), depending on support and pruning

Foliage

Five-part leaves with dark green to bronze-green leaflets, prominent silver-white veins and often reddish-purple undersides; turning red to crimson in autumn.

Growth

Moderate; often slow to establish, then faster once rooted

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   2 ft (0.6 m)

2. After 1 year

   3 ft (0.9 m)

3. After 2 years

   4 ft (1.2 m)

4. After 3 years

   5 ft (1.5 m)

5. After 5 years

   6 ft (1.8 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with compost mixed into the surrounding soil and water thoroughly.
• Guide and loosely tie young shoots to their support until the adhesive tendrils take hold.
• Water deeply during dry weather for the first two growing seasons.
• Apply a 2-3 in (5-8 cm) organic mulch each spring, keeping it away from the stems.
• Keep shoots out of gutters, roof spaces and window frames; use only sound masonry or a sturdy support.

Pruning. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing dead or crowded stems and shortening growth to fit its support. Trim wandering shoots during summer before they attach to unwanted surfaces.

Late winter

Prune to control size and remove dead, damaged or badly placed stems.

Spring

Plant new specimens when the soil is workable, then water well and mulch.

Late spring

Guide new shoots across the support and tie in any that have not attached.

Summer

Water during prolonged dry spells and trim shoots away from gutters, roofs and windows.

Early autumn

Check the support and remove unwanted growth before leaf fall hides where stems are attached.

Late autumn

Clear fallen leaves from drains and check ties for rubbing or constriction.

• Cover a shaded brick or stone wall with silver-veined foliage and red autumn colour.
• Train over a sturdy fence behind hostas and ferns to create a layered, leafy boundary.
• Clothe a substantial pergola for seasonal shade, accepting that the canopy is bare in winter.
• Use against pale masonry where its dark leaves and contrasting veins can be seen clearly.

Garden styles it suits: Woodland, Modern courtyard, Arts and Crafts, Traditional, Secret garden and Autumn colour.

Plant it with: Hostas, Japanese painted fern, Hellebores, Japanese anemones, Bigroot geranium and Oakleaf hydrangea.

Wildlife: Small, inconspicuous flowers attract visiting insects, and birds may eat the blue-black berries. Dense mature growth can provide shelter and nesting cover.

• Leaf scorch or premature leaf drop in hot, dry positions: water deeply, mulch the root zone and provide afternoon shade.
• Powdery mildew in dry, crowded conditions: improve airflow, avoid drought stress and remove badly affected fallen leaves.
• Vine weevil, especially in containers: inspect damaged plants for root-feeding grubs and use a suitable biological control where available.
• Shoots entering gutters or attaching to unsuitable surfaces: inspect during the growing season and cut them back before they establish.

Do not eat the berries or foliage. Parthenocissus contains calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth and digestive tract; ingestion may cause drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea in people, cats and dogs. Sap can also irritate sensitive skin. Species-specific information for horses is limited, so keep it away from grazing areas and seek veterinary advice after ingestion.

• Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

  Also has five leaflets, but they are usually plain green without the conspicuous silver-white veins of Chinese Virginia creeper; growth is generally more vigorous.

• Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)

  Mature leaves are usually single, three-lobed blades rather than five separate leaflets, and lack the distinctive silver-white vein pattern.

The species name henryana honours the Irish plant collector Augustine Henry, while Chinese Virginia creeper refers to its Chinese origin and resemblance to Virginia creeper.

Propagation. Layer a low-growing stem in spring, or take semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Seed is possible but slower and usually needs a period of cold, moist conditions before germination.

Accepted botanical name

Parthenocissus henryana

Native range

China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast and East Himalaya.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.