To the genus, Parthenocissus belong various climbing plants with tendrils, deciduous and lignified, which are cultivated for their deep green foliage, which acquires beautiful reddish tones during autumn.
The Virginia creeper, as the virgin vine is also known, has compound leaves, that is, formed by independent pieces called leaflets. According to the number of these we have Parthenocissus quinquefolia , with five for each leaf, which needs a trellis to hold on to, and Parthenocissus tricuspidata , with three leaflets, which climbs the surfaces without help.
Characteristics of the virgin vine
The virgin vine grows vigorously and quickly, which is why it is often used to cover facades and walls . In addition, it provides shade and coolness on the hottest days of summer. We can cover with it pergolas, lattices, sheds and any other structure or let it spread over the ground as a plant cover.
Although it comes from North America, China and Japan, it adapts very well to all climates and only requires well-drained soil to prevent fungi from taking over.
Basic care of the virgin vine
Although it admits the sun, the color of the leaves gains in intensity if it is in semi-shade or even in total shade. It is ideal for planting on a wall facing north or east. Its planting can be done both in autumn and spring.
We will place it in deep holes, 50 by 50 centimeters, to which it is convenient to add mulch, decomposed organic matter or compost so that it settles more easily after transplanting.
Prune the virgin vine
The virgin vine is a plant that, at first, does not need much pruning. In the first years it is advisable to cut some shoots to stimulate the growth of branches and to ensure that the wall is covered evenly.
Once established, it only needs to be trimmed from time to time , at any time of the year, to control its exuberant growth and prevent it from invading window or door frames. We will try not to prune even the old woody branches, because they will hardly produce new shoots.
We must be careful to detach from the supports only those stems that we are going to discard since, once detached, they cannot be held at the same point.
