Sunday, October 17, 2010

Virginia Creeper/Today's Flowers

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Not a flower, true, but this time of year the leaves on Virginia creeper vines sure are colourful.

Virginia creeper is a native vine here, growing over everything in its path: rocks, bushes, fences and even up telephone poles. It's fast growing and can "creep" up to 20 feet in a year.

A young plant, which next year will likely have covered this fence

Most of the growing season  the leaves are green, but in autumn they turn a brilliant red or maroon. Older vines also have dark blue berries that are popular with some birds which disperse the seeds.

This is a plant I enjoy seeing in the wild but prefer to NOT have in my gardens...so I rip it out.

If you love flowers -- and who doesn't - check out Today's Flowers at http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com/

19 comments:

Michelle said...

I like the contrast between the vine color and the fence.

Crafty Green Poet said...

beautiful coloured vine and it looks so nice against the fence

Birdman said...

Agreed! Vineworks provide such interesting colors through the seasons.

Francisca said...

That is a very lovely red vine. I would like it green too. What makes you prefer not to have it in your garden? I remember once seeing a house fully covered in pretty ivy and my uncle said, yes, pretty, but don't ever do it to your house; it attracts an army of bugs.

eileeninmd said...

It does look pretty growing on the fence. The color is gorgeous.

lotusleaf said...

The brilliant colour of the vine makes up for the lack of flowers.

EG CameraGirl said...

Francisca,

It takes over!

Unknown said...

what an intense red! i love it!

Viola said...

Such a wonderful plant, brilliant color!! Even if you don't want it in your garden, you can join it out in the free, in the wild.. And so useful, old plants coming up with berries for the birds!! :)

Wifey10 said...

nice to have it creep in an arch way isn't it? lovely for xmas

Cezar and Léia said...

OMG EG, this post is wonderful, your first shot is fantastic, so lovely flower!
Léia

Paulie said...

Perfect "flower" for a perfect fence! I didn't realize it was a leaf until I read your words! If it grew near me, I would have a fence just like that for it to crawl upon. . .

Shirley said...

Virginia Creepers have such brilliant fall colour! Since it is native there, it makes sense it will cover an area like that so quickly. Here in Edmonton, it takes a few seasons to see that kind of growth.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

We saw this plant when we were in VA during our roadtrip -- but obviously too early in the year! Much lovelier now.

Carver said...

This is absolutely gorgeous Virginia Creeper. Some of mine lost a lot of leaves in the heat of the summer but other places it's beginning to change colors. I can't remember it ever being this slow to change here.

Larry said...

Amazing color when backlit with sunlight !L

Anonymous said...

Whoa! It's kinda.. creepy.. but lovely. Hehe.. Though I prefer greens and yellows. And they do look very lovely on a fence.. Thanks so much for sharing this.. Great captures. =)

Please check out mine, too. I'd really appreciate it if you could also drop a comment. =)

http://neneleah30.blogspot.com/2010/10/flowers-mellow-monday.html

George said...

We try to keep Virginia Creeper out of our yard as well, but your pictures are definitely beautiful.

Marilyn said...

I'm going to repeat what most said about the red with the gray weathered fence...beautiful for fall! ♥♫

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.