Natural England

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Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

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Virginia creeper - Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Virginia creeper - Parthenocissus quinquefoliaVirginia creeper - Parthenocissus quinquefolia
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

Virginia creeper is renowned for its rapid growth and stunning crimson autumn colour. It has leaves with five oval, toothed leaflets. The insignificant green flowers become round bluish black berries in the autumn, which may be eaten by hungry starlings. This vigorous climber reaches 15m and will cover a wall or shed or climb into the tops of trees.

The foliage of this creeper provides shelter - and occasionally nesting space - for the house sparrow, and also for roosting butterflies, such as small tortoiseshells, commas and red admirals. The flowers are valuable to bumble bees for their nectar and pollen.

Animals

Buff-tailed bumble bee, Comma, House sparrow, Red admiral, Red-tailed bumble bee, Small tortoiseshell, Starling, White-tailed bumble bee

FoliageRed
FlowerGreen, May to June
MoistureDry (Dry)
SunlightFull sun to Part-shadeFull sun to Part-shade (Full sun to Part-shade)
OriginNon-native
986