Plants: Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Veitchii' - Boston Ivy

This variety of Boston ivy has shallow-lobed leaves, creating a jagged appearance. It is an excellent clinging deciduous vine which is most well-known for its amazing autumn foliage colours. Rich and intense hues of scarlet, fiery purplish red, yellow and orange light up with the onset of autumn. After the leaves fall, the dark blue berries remain decorative until they fall. Will tolerate the dust, pollution and exhaust fumes of a city environment very well, making it an ideal choice for a wall or fence covering in your city garden. It makes a much more decorative plant for a wall or pergola than the normal species Parthenocissus tricuspidata, which has only plain three-lobed leaves. It's pretty vigorous, so give it space to spread where it will provide useful habitat for insects and small birds, too.

Veitchii makes a good textured covering for any large sunny surface, and can even be used in a large garden as ground cover among shrubs, when it will root at each leaf joint and scramble over them. Will adapt to a wide range of growing conditions but prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. It can reach height 18m and spread 4m in maturity. It is therefore very well suited for high houses and blocks of flats.

English names: Boston Ivy Veitchii, Red-leaf Boston Ivy, Veitch's Boston Ivy, Japanese Creeper