Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (03/09/2011, Rhodes, Greece)

Position: Full sun to partial shade 

Soil: Well drained

Flowering period: Late Spring/Early Summer

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Vitaceae

Parthenocissus quinquefolia shade (03/09/2011, Rhodes, Greece)

Parthenocissus quinquefolia is a woody vine and a prolific climber. It has palmately compound leaves composed of five leaflets with toothed margins joined by a central point on the leafstalk. They range from 3 to 20 cm across and have a toothed margin. This vine climbs smooth surfaces by means of small forked tendrils tipped with strongly adhesive pads 5 mm in size. Its hermaphrodite flowers are small and greenish, produced in clusters in late spring, maturing in late summer and early autumn into small hard black berries. The leaves of this climber turn a deep red before the laves fall of the plant in autumn.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia, commonly known as Virginia Creeper, is native to eastern and central North America, southeastern Canada, Mexico and Guatemala. This species of vine is often mistaken for the Parthenocissus vitaceae which has the same leaves but does not have the adhesive pads on the end of its tendrils. Parthenocissus quinquefolia, similar to Parthenocissus tricuspidata, will provide effective solar shading for south facing masonry walls on buildings. It will not harm the fabric of the masonry as it clings via adhesive cups rather than penetrating roots. However care should be taken when removing this plant from the wall, sections should be killed and allowed to die before being removed.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia Leaf (03/07/2015, Walworth, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name  Parthenocissus is derived from the Greek  parthenos  meaning ‘virgin’ and  kissos  meaning  ‘ivy’. Quinquefolia is derived from the Latin meaning  ‘five  leaves’.

The UK landscape architect should not specify Parthenocissus quinquefolia in the UK as it has been added to Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in 2010. This plant was useful to the landscape architect as an effective self clinging deciduous climber with good autumn colour. It could have been used as shading to reduce solar gain on the south elevations of buildings.

Ecologically, Parthenocissus quinquefolia will attract many species of pollinating insects such as honey bees and butterflies. Its berries are a valuable source of food for birds during the winter months.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia fruit (03/09/2011, Rhodes, Greece)

Parthenocissus  quinquefolia prefers moist but well drained soil conditions. It prefers soils with a pH between acid and alkali. It prefers a soil with particle sizes between sand and clay.

The Royal Horticultural Society gave   Parthenocissus  quinquefolia their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia will require support until established. It may be pruned in winter or if required in summer to restrain its growth in unwanted areas.



Landscape Architecture

Vitis vinifera

Vitis vinifera fruit (03/09/2011, Amorgos, Greece)

Position: Full sun to partial shade  

Soil: Well drained

Flowering period: Mid spring

Eventual Height: 35m

Eventual Spread: 5m

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Vitaceae

Vitis vinifera is a long stemmed woody climbing vine, with flaky bark. The leaves are alternate, palmately lobed,  5-20cm long and mid-green. The leaves turn yellow, orange or red during autumn. Vitis vinifera use trees and other forms of support to climb to gain better access to light; using twining tendrils to gain support. The fruit is a berry, commonly known as a grape; in the wild species it has a 6 mm diameter and ripens dark purple to a blackish hue with a pale wax bloom. 

Vitis vinifera (03/09/2011, Amorgos, Greece)

Vitis vinifera, commonly known as the Common Grape Vine, is a species of Vitis native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe and southwestern Asia. In the wild this species is found by streams in humid forests. The wild form of the Grape is known as Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris with the cultivated form know as Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera. Cultivars of this species form the basis of the majority of wines produced all around the world. Humans have been using this plant since the Neolithic period.

 The etymological root of the binomial name Vitis is derived from the Latin meaning ‘vine or grape vine’. Vinifera is derived from the Latin meaning ‘wine bearing’.

Vitis vinifera shading (03/09/2011, Amorgos, Greece)

Vitis vinifera is useful to the landscape architect as a vigorous fruit bearing climber suitable for wall training. It can also be trained to provide a shade providing canopy. This plant requires supports to climb.

Ecologically, Vitis vinifera is a source of food for aphids called Phyloxera vastatrix, species which affect its rooting system. Birds, rabbits and deer also use the vine as a source of nutrition by nibbling the bark as well as eating the fruit.

Vitis vinifera prefers well drained soil conditions, soil pH being neutral to basic and soil texture from sand to clay.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given a number of varieties of the climber Vitis vinifera their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

Vitis vinifera autumn leaf (05/12/2011, London)

Vitis vinifera may require formative punning if grown as an ornamental climber. To produce quality grapes, choose a variety which is suitable for the climate. It should be pruned in late winter and if necessary once during the summer months.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata

Parthenocissus tricuspidata leaf (10/08/2011, London)

Position: Full sun, partial shade and full shade

Soil: well drained soil

Flowering period: Summer

Eventual Height: 12m

Eventual Spread: N/A

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Vitaceae

 Parthenocissus tricuspidata is a deciduous shrub with a climbing habit. Its woody branches attach to its support structure by way of branched tendrils that have holdfasts. Its glossy foliage is mid to dark green, measuring up to 22cm across. Its leaves become deep crimson in autumn before they fall. Its insignificant flowers are small and greenish in colour. These are followed by small bluish-black round fruits.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata, commonly known as Boston Ivy, Grape Ivy, Japanese Ivy or Japanese Creeper, is native to Eastern Asia including China, Japan and Korea. It is also widely naturalised in many temperate climates, including the UK. This plant clings by means of secreting calcium carbonate through its adhesive pads, giving it the ability to cling without the need for support. This plant will not damage masonry if left alone, however if the plant is ripped from the building damage may occur. If the plant is first killed by severing the stem the adhesive pads will deteriorate and allow the plant to be removed easily.

The etymological root of the binomial name Parthenocissus is derived from the Greek parthenos meaning ‘virgin’ and kissos meaning ‘ivy’. Tricuspidata is derived from Latin meaning ‘three pointed’ in reference to its foliage.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata (10/08/2011, London)

Parthenocissus tricuspidata may be useful to the landscape architect in a vigorous deciduous climber with the changing of leaf colour providing autumn interest. It can be used in warmer climates to reduce comfort cooling costs in buildings by shading their exterior walls, reducing solar gain.

The Royal Horticultural Society gave Parthenocissus tricuspidata their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata will tolerate almost any soil conditions; it will be happy at neutral, acid or alkaline pH levels, in loam, chalk, clay or sand based soils, facing any sheltered or exposed aspect.

Ecologically, Parthenocissus tricuspidata will attract many species of pollinating insects such as honey bees and butterflies. It will also attract various species of birds which will feed on its fruit and shelter from predators in its foliage.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata requires little to no maintenance. It may be pruned in winter or if required in summer to restrain its growth in unwanted areas.

Landscape Architecture