Virginia creeper
Site away from windows, roof tiles, guttering and timber cladding from the start, and check the wall surface is sound — the adhesive climbing pads that make this genus so effective at covering a wall unaided are also what can damage a vulnerable one.
Care
Genuinely tolerant of shade, though autumn colour is usually most vivid in a sunnier spot.
More drought-tolerant once well established.
Adaptable, well-drained soil of most types.
Prune hard at any time of year to control size and keep growth clear of gutters, windows, roof tiles and timber cladding — this is a vigorous climber that needs regular control on most buildings, not an occasional tidy.
Don't feed. It is vigorous enough to cover a house wall unaided, and feeding simply means more growth to cut off the gutters each autumn.
Hardwood cuttings after leaf fall, or simply detach a stem that has rooted where it touched the ground. Autumn colour is inherited, so take material from a plant whose colour you have actually seen.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilTrim back growth reaching toward gutters, windows or roof tiles as spring growth picks up. how ›
- AugustTrim again to keep clear of guttering and windows before the vigorous late-summer growth flush. how ›
- OctoberEnjoy the brilliant scarlet and crimson autumn leaf colour, the main reason this genus is grown. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilTrim back growth reaching toward gutters, windows or roof tiles as spring growth picks up. how ›
- AugustTrim again to keep clear of guttering and windows before the vigorous late-summer growth flush. how ›
- OctoberEnjoy the brilliant scarlet and crimson autumn leaf colour, the main reason this genus is grown. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchTrim back growth reaching toward gutters, windows or roof tiles as spring growth picks up. how ›
- AugustTrim again to keep clear of guttering and windows before the vigorous late-summer growth flush. how ›
- OctoberEnjoy the brilliant scarlet and crimson autumn leaf colour, the main reason this genus is grown. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchTrim back growth reaching toward gutters, windows or roof tiles as spring growth picks up. how ›
- AugustTrim again to keep clear of guttering and windows before the vigorous late-summer growth flush. how ›
- NovemberEnjoy the brilliant scarlet and crimson autumn leaf colour, the main reason this genus is grown. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Adhesive climbing pads gripping and eventually damaging soft or already-cracked surfaces if left unchecked.
What to do. Trim back from vulnerable areas regularly from an early stage; avoid planting against soft render, loose pointing, or timber cladding.
How to spot it. On soft new growth.
What to do. Encourage predators; tolerate low levels.
How to spot it. White coating on leaves, especially in a dry, still spot.
What to do. Usually cosmetic; improve air circulation if it recurs badly.
Questions
Virginia creeper: is it hardy?
H5: Hardy in most of the UK, but can struggle in the coldest inland or upland spots. It survives down to −15 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
A very vigorous, large self-clinging climber that needs a substantial wall or structure; unsuited to pot culture long-term.
Virginia creeper: when do you prune it?
Prune hard at any time of year to control size and keep growth clear of gutters, windows, roof tiles and timber cladding — this is a vigorous climber that needs regular control on most buildings, not an occasional tidy. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in April, August.
When do you feed it?
Don't feed. It is vigorous enough to cover a house wall unaided, and feeding simply means more growth to cut off the gutters each autumn.