Virginia Creeper

Description:

Virginia Creeper is a climbing vine, which can grow up to 50 feet. It is identified by its leaves, which have five leaflets. Leaves are green, but are tinted with red when they first grow. In the Fall, all the leaves turn deep red. Leaflets are three to seven inches long, and up to two inches wide. This plant is often confused with Poison Ivy, which it frequently grows alongside of. Poison Ivy has only three leaflets, and its leaves have only a few teeth, or not teeth at all. Virginia Creeper always has teeth on its leaves. Virginia Creeper can not only grow as a vine up tree trunks and walls, but it can stand alone. It will send out runners along the ground, and quickly cover the area. If not controlled, Virginia Creeper can choke a tree or shrub. It blooms from June through August. Flowers are tiny, yellowish-green, and clustered. Fruits are purplish-black berries, about 1/4 inch across.

Habitat:

Habitat yard with plants chosen to attract wildlife.

Notes:

This vine is growing on our fence and was originally planted by birds sitting on the fence and the branches overhanging it.