Turn a plain wall, fence or pergola into a living feature with Boston Ivy, a vigorous deciduous climber prized for its lush, three-lobed foliage and spectacular seasonal colour. In the Western Cape, it produces small, understated greenish-white flowers during summer, generally around December to February, followed by small dark berries that can provide food for birds. Its real showstopper comes as the foliage changes colour, developing rich red, crimson and purple tones before dropping in winter. Boston Ivy is ideal for covering walls, fences, trellises and pergolas, and can also be used as a groundcover or for softening large structures. Give it sun to semi-shade, sturdy support and enough room to climb, as this is a fast-growing plant that benefits from regular pruning.
Give Boston Ivy a sunny to semi-shaded position with reasonably fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly while establishing, then reduce once the vine is well rooted. Provide a strong structure for it to climb and guide new growth where required. Prune regularly to keep its vigorous growth under control and away from gutters, windows and unwanted areas.
Boston Ivy isn't actually an ivy at all! It belongs to the grape family, Vitaceae, and climbs using tiny adhesive discs that grip onto surfaces. Its spectacular red autumn colour is one of the reasons it has become such a popular choice for covering large walls and buildings.
| Botanical Name |
Parthenocissus Tricuspidata
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Growth Expectancy
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9m-15m H x 4-10m W
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Position
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Sun - Semi-shade
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| Water Smart | No |
| Indigenous | No |
