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Parthenocissus tricuspidata - (Siebold.&Zucc.)Planch.

Common Name Boston Ivy, Japanese Ivy, Japanese Creeper
Family Vitaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Thickets and woods in hills and mountains[58]. Climbing over rocks or shrubs on hillsides at elevations of 100 - 1200 metres in China[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea. A garden escape in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Parthenocissus tricuspidata Boston Ivy, Japanese Ivy, Japanese Creeper


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Hedwig_Storch
Parthenocissus tricuspidata Boston Ivy, Japanese Ivy, Japanese Creeper
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Hedwig_Storch

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Variable height, Variable spread.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Parthenocissus tricuspidata is a deciduous Climber growing to 18 m (59ft 1in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Ampelopsis tricuspidata. A. veitchii.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Sap
Edible Uses: Sweetener

Sap - sweet[177]. The sap flows quite freely when it is harvested in the spring, as the plant comes into new growth, and can be used as a sugar substitute[105].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

This species can be grown as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[188]. Plants should be spaced about 2.5 metres apart each way[208]. They are very vigorous, however, and would soon swamp smaller plants[K].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Arbor, Woodland garden. Requires a well-drained moisture retentive fertile soil[200]. Succeeds in any fertile soil in sun or part shade[202]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -15°c[200], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant[1], there are several named varieties[182]. The flowers are only produced on mature stems[202] and plants usually only fruit after a long hot summer[219]. A rampant climbing plant, clinging by means of round pad-like suckers on the tendrils[11]. It can become a bit of a nuisance by growing into gutters[182]. Plants are very tolerant of trimming and can be cut right back to within 1 metre of the base if required to rejuvenate the plant[202]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring[219]. Dislikes transplanting[11], plants often put on very little growth in the year after planting out, though they are then fast growing[202]. Plants often hybridize and so do not always come true from seed[200]. Special Features: Not North American native, Invasive, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. Stored seed requires stratifying for 6 weeks at 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[200]. Germination is variable. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm taken at a node (ensure that it has at least 2 true buds), July/August in a frame[78]. Easy to root but they do not always survive the first winter[182]. Basal hardwood cuttings of current seasons growth, 10 - 12 cm long, autumn in a frame[200]. Layering[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Parthenocissus himalayana Climber18.0 8-11 FLMHSNM202
Parthenocissus quinquefoliaVirginia Creeper, WoodbineClimber30.0 3-10 FLMHSNM223

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Siebold.&Zucc.)Planch.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Ian Bailey-Scudamore   Wed Jul 2 2008

I have been told by a local supplier here in Inverness that Boston Ivy is the same as Parthenocissus quinquefolia, but I thought Boston Ivy is the tricuspidata. Can you please clarify, and in any event would the Boston survive here (I live near Grantown-on-Spey, Moray). Thank you

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