Care-free vines: Boston ivy

No vine provides coverage comparable to Boston ivy, making it unsurpassed for masking large, blank masonry walls.  Follow these guidelines to help you properly grow this vigorous perennial.

Native to China and Japan, this perennial vine is grown for its glossy green, sharply lobed leaves, which are arranged in overlapping tiers so dense that the support behind them disappears. The leaves of some varieties are purplish when young and may become veined or edged in pink as they mature. In fall Boston ivy turns brilliant red, and in winter the leafless stems draw interest with the lines they trace, stretching ever upward until they reach 18 metres (60 feet) in length.

Boston ivy fastens itself to a surface with adhesive, suckerlike pads called holdfasts. They cause no harm to brick, stone or stucco, but can hold moisture against wood surfaces, contributing to its decay. And, should you need to pull the vine down to paint a wooden structure, substantial work is involved in removing holdfasts and their residue from the wall.

Several cultivars show special characteristics.

• Both 'Beverley Brooks' and 'Lowii' have smaller leaves than the species and grow a bit shorter.
• On the other end of the scale is 'Robusta', an especially vigorous, large-leaved cultivar.
• For maximum colour, try 'Veitchii' or 'Atropurpurea'. These start and end the growing season with reddish purple leaves that are green in summer.

1. Plant Boston ivy in spring in a partially shaded site.
2. It is not fussy about soil but grows vigorously in fertile soil high in organic matter, so amend the planting hole with leaf mold, compost or dried manure if your soil has a lot of clay or sand.
3. Keep the roots barely moist throughout the first growing season and in subsequent years when rainfall is lacking. Young vines may need some training to get them to climb until the holdfasts unfurl from the stems and touch the support.
4. Press the stems against the growing surface by propping them behind a brick, or a similar object. The stems will soon send out holdfasts to grab the wall on contact.
5. Don't let this vigorous vine, which grows several feet each year, get out of control.
6. Prune in any season to keep the vines away from eaves and window or door frames, and to contain size. Its thick leaves are an adequate deterrent to pests and diseases.

The North American native counterpart to Boston ivy is Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefoli), suited to Zone 2. With five slender leaflets splayed out like the fingers of a hand, Virginia creeper foliage is less glossy than that of Boston ivy but also turns bright red in fall. Vigorous but not dense, this carefree native vine is just right for informal natural areas or as a ground cover.

Attributes

Shade-tolerant vine with lobed leaves and fall colour; for covering walls.

Season of interest

Spring to late fall.

Type of vine

Deciduous perennial; climbs with adhesive holdfasts.

Favourites

Compact 'Lowii', vigorous 'Robusta', 'Veitchii' for foliage colour.

Quirks

Can attach to almost any surface; very vigorous.

Good Neighbours

Provides a textured, colourful backdrop for any shade-tolerant plant.

Where it grows best

Fertile, moist soil in partial shade.

Potential problems

Can cause structural damage to wood surfaces and roofs.

Renewing plants

Lives for years; renewal not necessary.

Critter resistance

Excellent.

Source

Bedding plants.

Dimensions

To 18 metres (60 feet).