Chapter 114 Parthenocissus quinquefolia
114.1 Virginia creeper
A Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) bonsai, in the “cascade” style, on display at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Link to original image.
114.2 Soil: Moist Deciduous Mix
Ratio: 4 parts bark, 1 part grit
Add-ins: dolomitic limestone (~5 lbs/yd), Tree-Tone (15 lbs/yd)
pH: ~6.5 (slightly below neutral)
Moisture: Average
114.3 Light
Routine: full sun but provide mid-day shade, especially in summer. Can tolerate part-shade.
114.4 Cultivation Notes
Virginia creeper vines in mid-summer. To find starting plants, trace individual vines back to their roots. Often several smaller vines converge on a significantly larger, woody trunk that can be cut back and transplanted. Link to original image.
114.4.1 Potting & Root Pruning
Schedule: repot every second year in spring. Vigorous specimens may require annual repotting.
114.4.1.1 Top & Branch Management
Warning! Virginia creeper contains oxalic acid crystals that can cause severe allergic reactions in some people, especially after repeated skin exposures.
Heavy pruning: prune back hard in the autumn after leaf-drop. Parthenocissus are very soft-wooded so exposed deadwood can rot very quickly unless protected or removed.
Fine pruning: needs continual pruning of new growth, tendrils and damaged leaves through the spring and summer.
Leaf pruning: unknown.
114.4.2 Feeding
Feed every two weeks; if the plant does not receive enough fertilizer the leaves tend to drop before they change color.
114.4.3 Pests & Problems
Relatively trouble free. Caterpillars sometimes chew the leaves.
114.4.4 Winter Storage
When grown in ample light, Virginia creeper becomes an intense red in autumn, with purple berries (not visible here). Link to original image.
Fully hardy in our areas. Store in mulch outdoors. Try to place in a shaded area so buds do not break in a mid-winter warm spell. No other special precautions are needed.
114.5 Propagation Notes
Can be grown from cuttings, but it is easier to find a larger specimen in a nursery, or dig a small volunteer plant and thicken it up in open ground.
114.6 Artistic & Styling Notes
Looks particularly attractive in a semi-cascade, cascade, root-over-rock, or clump style.
114.7 Additional Information
114.7.1 Natural History
Parthenocissus is a genus of about 10 species of deciduous tendril climbers found in the forests of the Himalayas,E. Asia and North America. Most commonly they cling by tiny disc-like suckers on the end of their tendrils. They are fully hardy and can be grown in sun or partial shade.
114.7.2 In Cultivation
All species are suitable for use as bonsai, but the most commonly seen are:
- Virginia creeper, which is native to eastern North America.
- Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Boston Ivy, or Japanese ivy. Native to China, Korea and Japan.
- Parthenocissus thomsonii. Like Boston Ivy but with 5-lobed leaves.