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Virginia creeper is a perennial deciduous woody vine. The leaves are compound, containing 5 leaflets in a palmate arrangement. Leaves range in size from 2 - 6 inches and have toothed margins. The leaves are red when they first emerge, but turn green as they mature. The leaves turn a bright red in the fall of the year and are often confused with poison ivy. However, poison ivy has only 3 leaflets; Virginia creeper has 5. Virginia creeper can reach heights of 30 - 50 feet. |
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Virginia creeper spreads by seeds deposited by birds. Also, vines spread by attaching tendrils containing adhesive disks on the tips. The stems will root if they come in contact with soil. Flowers are small, inconspicuous, and white/green in color. Small pea size berries, blue-black in color, are produced in the fall. The berries develop on red stems and will stay on into the winter providing food for birds.
Virginia Creeper is native to the eastern United States.
| Integrated Pest Management Control Recommendations: |
Cultural Practices:
Virginia creeper grows in zones 3 to 9. It lives in partial shade to full
sun. It prefers acidic soil, and tolerates a wide range of soils from
dry sandy soils to moist loamy soils. Virginia creeper is grown as an
ornamental vine due to its fall color, but it escapes into unwanted areas.
To culturally control virginia creeper, pull out the vines. It will leave
a residue from the adhesive disks. It can damage mortar if allowed to
climb on brick walls.
Herbicide Use:
For optimum control, make your herbicide application to Virginia creeper
that is young and actively growing. Due to the woody nature of the vines
and spreading habit, better results may be obtained with an oil base ester
product. Fall clean up using an ester herbicide will provide effective
management.
University Links | Gordon's Recommendations | Germination Dates
