Description

Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy) is a very vigorous, fast-growing, deciduous climber boasting mostly ovate or three-lobed, rich lustrous deep green leaves, 20cm wide, turning brilliant shades of burgundy, orange and wine-red in the fall. Usually hidden by the foliage, greenish-white flowers appear in the upper leaf axils in late spring to early summer. They give way to round, fleshy, blue-black berries, visible only after the leaves have fallen, and only if the birds have not devoured them. Boston Ivy can be used as a climbing vine or ground cover, its leaves carpeting any surface in luxuriant green before turning spectacular colours in autumn. However, site this plant carefully. Its tendrils end in adhesive-like tips, giving this vine the ability to cement itself to walls, and making it difficult to remove. Although the tendrils don’t penetrate and damage the wall themselves, it is almost impossible to dislodge them from the walls without taking some of the wall with it.