The Art of Gardening | Facts and Information

Virginia Creeper

This vining favorite is known for its striking five-lobed leaves and ability to climb and cover walls and structures, turning vibrant shades of red in the fall. It is a versatile and attractive plant with numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping projects. It has become famous for enhancing outdoor spaces with its vibrant Virginia Creeper is part of the grape family. It gains its name from one of the native areas where it grows. It is a deciduous climber that, when located in the wild, can extend up to 100 feet tall. The Leaves Of Virginia Creeper There are typically five leaflets that combine to make up each set of leaves. Occasionally, however, it can be found with three or seven leaflets. Either way, they're joined on the leafstalk's central point and grow anywhere from one to eight inches. They have a bright green appearance in summer, and then they turn into brilliant shades of red and purple in autumn. Each leaflet has a toothed margin, and the seedlings come with heart-shaped leaves. The Flowers Of Virginia Creeper Late spring brings with it inconspicuous flower clusters. They brighten this plant with their greenish, small appearance. However, they don't really become more noticeable until they turn into berries. The Berries Of Virginia Creeper Berries grow on it in the late summer or early fall. These hard, small berries are purplish-black and typically don't get larger than 1/4 inch in diameter. Although the berries are not meant for humans, they do offer a nice food source to birds. In fact, due to the long lifespan of the berries, they become a vital source of winter food for a wide array of birds. How Tall Will Virginia Creeper Grow While it's true that they can grow to astronomical heights in the wild, that's not going to happen when you plant them around your home. Instead, their growth rate is limited by the structure that they're given to grow on. In other words, if you want them to grow up to only three feet, give them something three feet tall to climb. On the other hand, if you want them to soar up to 40 feet, you'll need to give them something that tall to climb. This height control method is a fantastic way to end up with them that do exactly what you want them to do. Something that helps set creepers apart is that they will not damage your building. Therefore, these deciduous climbers will work great in your yard.