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Parthenocissus

Parthenocissus, commonly called Boston ivies or Virginia creepers, have gained a reputation as garden thugs. This is partly well deserved – some cultivars can be very vigorous – but there’s more to this genus than luxurious growth, and their dip in popularity means that some fantastic cultivars are at risk of being lost unless they are conserved.

The National Plant Collection of Parthenocissus is held at RHS Garden Wisley. It consists of five species and 16 cultivars which are mainly planted in Seven Acres, Oakwood and Battleston Hill. It was designated a National Collection in 2020 and from the start has been a passion project for its custodian, Wisley’s current  curator, Matthew Pottage.

Recalling the beginning of his infatuation, Matthew says, “I vividly remember approaching the main building at the JC Raulston Arboretum in North Carolina and being struck by a climbing plant there. It had white frosted variegation and small leaves, and I wondered what on Earth I was seeing. It turned out to be Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Ginza Lights’. I’d never really considered that there might be cultivars of Boston ivy and, of course, your mind starts racing.”

I’d never really considered that there might be cultivars of Boston ivy and, of course, your mind starts racing.

Matt Pottage, Curator
There are around 10 species of Parthenocissus, native to North America and Asia, but not all of these are in cultivation in the UK. It is two of the American species – P. tricuspidata (Boston ivy, see main picture) and P. quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) that are primarily responsible for their image as marauding menaces. It should be noted that P. quinquefolia is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act meaning it is considered an invasive plant and care must be taken not to allow its escape into the wild.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia can become an invasive plant if not controlled
There are certainly rampant cultivars of both species in the Collection such as P. tricuspidata ‘Robusta’, which will happily cover a whole building with its large leaves. A similarly prolific plant is P. quinquefolia Red Wall (‘Troki’) which at Wisley can be found on Seven Acres shinning up to the top of a tall pine tree. However, there are plenty of other cultivars to choose from if there are greater constraints on space, and one of the purposes of the Collection is to show the versality and varied garden use of Parthenocissus.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Robusta’ heading for the heavens
Parthenocissus quinquefolia RED WALL (‘Troki’) is also a vigorous climber
“One of my favourite cultivars for smaller areas is P. tricuspidata ‘Lowii,’ which has a charming ruffle to its modest leaves that turn a mellow orange in autumn, rather than the blazing red of most other selections,” says Matt. More manageable again is ‘Minutifolia’, a cultivar of P. tricuspidata with even smaller leaves and proportionately diminished vigour.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Lowii’ is a small and less vigorous Boston ivy
 Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Fenway Park’ lacks robustness to the point where it can be difficult to grow, its pale golden leaves burning in sun and its stems tending to die back in shade. However, once positioned correctly it is a delight. It was named after the ground of the baseball team the Boston Red Sox, near to where it was discovered.
 
Other foliage variants include P. quinquefolia ‘Yellow Wall’ which has leaves that turn a buttery yellow in autumn, though only fairly briefly. Matthew Pottage is more enthusiastic about P. quinquefolia STAR SHOWERS (‘Monham’) which he describes as “the most outrageous” cultivar in the collection for its leaves which bear a cream-splashed variegation and turn pink in autumn. However, he warns it is not the best “clinger” and has a habit of falling off a wall if not secured with a framework of wires.
 
Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Fenway Park’ is named after the home ground of the Boston Red Sox, and prefers a touch of shade
Parthenocissus quinquefolia STAR SHOWERS (‘Monham’) has foliage that’s not for the faint-hearted
The cultivar which earns the most admiring comments from visitors to Wisley seems to be P. quinquefolia ‘Kirigami’ which has slim, deeply toothed leaflets, giving the leaves a ferny look. To add to the display, these turn brilliant red in autumn when they are accompanied by a heavy crop of black fruit.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia ‘Kirigami’ gets lots of attention for its unusual toothed leaves
 For those looking for something more traditional, the old cultivar Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Veitchii’ is a tried and tested plant, slightly better behaved than the normal species and with leaves a little smaller.
 

Future ambitions for the collection

“I’m eager to discover cultivars of the handsome Chinese species, P. henryana,” says Matt. The closest he has come is a cultivar named ‘Marlene’ which was said to belong to this species but turned out to be a selection of Cissus striata, a totally different plant.

And what of ‘Ginza Lights’, the strange cultivar that started Matthew Pottage on his voyage of discovery and conservation? A shout out asking for propagation material was heard at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire from where

cuttings were dispatched, and it finally joined the collection in 2024.

An autumn plant association of Parthenocissus quinquefolia and Rosa ROSY CUSHION (‘Interall’) in a private garden in Lincolnshire.

About the author - James Armitage

James only discovered a love of plants in his late teens but learned quickly thereafter. After gaining an HND in Plantsmanship at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, he completed a master’s degree in plant taxonomy at University of Reading. He started as a botanist at RHS Garden Wisley in 2002 and published widely in botanical journals and popular horticultural magazines. He made the move to publishing in 2018 as editor of the RHS periodicals The Plant Review and The Orchid Review. 
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Plants mentioned

Parthenocissus quinquefolia 'Kirigami'
Virginia creeper 'Kirigami'
<em>Parthenocissus</em> <em>quinquefolia</em> 'Kirigami'
Parthenocissus henryana
Chinese Virginia creeper
  • 8–12 metres
  • 2.5–4 metres
<em>Parthenocissus</em> <em>henryana</em>
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia creeper
  • Higher than 12 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Parthenocissus</em> <em>quinquefolia</em>
Parthenocissus quinquefolia 'Kirigami'
Virginia creeper 'Kirigami'
<em>Parthenocissus</em> <em>quinquefolia</em> 'Kirigami'
Parthenocissus henryana
Chinese Virginia creeper
  • 8–12 metres
  • 2.5–4 metres
<em>Parthenocissus</em> <em>henryana</em>
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia creeper
  • Higher than 12 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Parthenocissus</em> <em>quinquefolia</em>
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