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Parthenocissus tricuspidata is often confused with:
Parthenocissus quinquefolia wild form - new growth
Native alternative(s) for Parthenocissus tricuspidata:
Parthenocissus quinquefolia wild form - new growth
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Lathyrus latifolius Lathyrus latifolius
Passiflora incarnata Flower
Quercus nigra Quercus nigra
Parthenocissus tricuspidata has some common insect problems:
Japanese Beetle
Leafhoppers Found on Flowers and Foliage

Boston Ivy Parthenocissus tricuspidata

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
par-then-oh-SIS-us tri-kus-pih-DAH-tah
Description

Parthenocissus tricuspidata, or Boston Ivy, is a deciduous vine typically grown as a ground cover that climbs by short tendrils branched with terminal sucker-like holdfasts or adhesive discs. If vertical support is lacking, the plant will spread across the ground. Leaves emerge in late spring and provide good fall color when the leaves turn from green to burgundy. In its juvenile form, the 3-foliate leaflets resemble poison ivy and lack tendrils.This plant is soil tolerant, grows well in full sun or shade, is tolerant of excessive wind, pollution, and salt. This plant attracts bees.

It needs little care, but can be trimmed back regularly to keep it in bounds. Site it in areas where it will have room to expand and grow. It should not be grown up wood or shingle walls because the holdfasts are difficult to remove, can creep under shingles and will ruin the paint. Vines can also attach to and damage such objects as gutters, shutters or wiring around home and buildings. However, if the plant is killed first, by severing the vine from the root, the adhesive pads deteriorate and the plant can be removed without causing damage to the wall. Boston Ivy, along with Japanese Bittersweet, is used to cover the outfield walls of Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The plant is cold hardy to about 15 degrees F.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Mildews, leaf spots, canker and wilt may occur. Potential insect pests include scale and leaf hoppers and Japanese beetles.

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Annie Hall'
  • 'Atropupurea'
  • 'Aurata'
  • 'Beverly Brook'
  • 'Fenway Park'
    Yellow-green/chartreuse leaves in sun and lime green leaves in shade. Shades of red, orange and yellow in fall.
  • 'Ginza Lights'
    Multicolored foliage. Leaves are smaller, emerge pink and white, mature to green and change to crimson in fall.
  • 'Lowii'
    Smaller leaves; change to crimson in autumn.
  • 'Veitchii'
    Small leaves, shallower lobes, emerge bronze-purple in spring, then green, red in fall.
'Annie Hall', 'Atropupurea', 'Aurata', 'Beverly Brook', 'Fenway Park', 'Ginza Lights', 'Lowii', 'Veitchii'
Tags:
#deciduous#white flowers#yellow flowers#apvg#children's garden#playground plant#edible fruits#fantz#vine#apvg-vg#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Annie Hall'
  • 'Atropupurea'
  • 'Aurata'
  • 'Beverly Brook'
  • 'Fenway Park'
    Yellow-green/chartreuse leaves in sun and lime green leaves in shade. Shades of red, orange and yellow in fall.
  • 'Ginza Lights'
    Multicolored foliage. Leaves are smaller, emerge pink and white, mature to green and change to crimson in fall.
  • 'Lowii'
    Smaller leaves; change to crimson in autumn.
  • 'Veitchii'
    Small leaves, shallower lobes, emerge bronze-purple in spring, then green, red in fall.
'Annie Hall', 'Atropupurea', 'Aurata', 'Beverly Brook', 'Fenway Park', 'Ginza Lights', 'Lowii', 'Veitchii'
Tags:
#deciduous#white flowers#yellow flowers#apvg#children's garden#playground plant#edible fruits#fantz#vine#apvg-vg#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Parthenocissus
    Species:
    tricuspidata
    Family:
    Vitaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    groundcover
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China and Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds eat the berries in the fall and winter.
    Play Value:
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Food Source
    Climbing Method:
    Tendrils
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Climbing
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Tendrils
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Flowers give way to berries (to 1/3” diameter) which are also hidden by the foliage and often not visible until autumn leaf drop. Fruits are a dull, dark bluish-black berry.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are inconspicuous, pale yellowish-green to greenish-white in color, and are borne under the leaves (cymose). Peduncles are borne opposite to the leaf.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are dimorphic and alternate on dwarf shoots. Juvenile leaves sparse, palmately compound, have 3 leaflets, and are bronzed tinged. Leaves are typically broadly ovate, 4-8" wide, 6" long, and are prominately 3-lobed. Lobes are subacuminate, blade base cordate, and coarsely serrate to dentately serrate. Major venation is palmate, 5-veined. Leaves are glossy dark green and glabrous above, and have pubescent veins below. Resemble poison ivy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Branches are twining. Buds are brown, round-conical, and have 2-3 scales. Vine with branched tendrils.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Recreational Play Area
    Rock Wall
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Heavy Shade
    Poor Soil