Parthenocissus quinquefolia
low, moderate
green
summer, though flowers are not noticeable
15 to 20 ft.
3 to 6 ft.
Yes
eastern US, Colorado and Utah
sun, part shade
USDA zones 3-9
hardy to 9,000 ft.
Virginia creeper is a vigorous native vine. It has five-parted leaves that turn brilliant red in fall.
Inconspicuous green flowers are hidden under the leaves. The fruit is purplish-black and very desirable to birds.
Virginia creeper has the ability to attach itself onto anything, and it will root where it crawls across the ground. This combination allows the plant to ramble at will. It will creep and crawl over everything, including other plants.
It's a good choice for low water, inhospitable locations, but may become overly vigorous in regularly watered/fertilized areas.
At the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, Virginia creeper is a tough plant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions. The more moisture it gets, the more it grows. In fall, the red color of the leaves is very attractive.
Prune out dieback in late spring.