Boston Ivy
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
A vigorous deciduous climbing vine famous for creating those classic ivy-covered brick buildings on college campuses. This fast-growing vine produces stunning fall color, transforming from green to brilliant shades of orange, red, and purple that make it a showstopper in autumn landscapes.
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–8
USDA hardiness
Height
30-60 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Boston Ivy in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 vine →Zone Map
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Boston Ivy · Zones 4–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: #deciduous#white flowers#yellow flowers#woody#apvg#children's garden#playground plant#edible fruits#fantz#fall color red#fall color orange#vine#fall color bronze#fall color purple#apvg-vg#fall color orange-red#fall color#wildlife friendly#HS303. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Root Cutting, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Flowers give way to berries (to 1/3” diameter) which are also hidden by the foliage and often not visible until autumn leaf drop. Fruits are a dull, dark bluish-black berry. They are attractive to birds.
Color: Black, Blue. Type: Berry. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Erosion, Heavy Shade, Poor Soil
- +Wildlife value: Birds eat the berries in the fall and winter.
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Clematis
Shares similar growing conditions and creates layered texture without competing for wall space
Hosta
Thrives in the shade created by Boston Ivy and provides contrasting foliage texture
Astilbe
Benefits from partial shade provided by the vine and adds colorful flowering elements
Ferns
Excellent understory plants that thrive in the filtered light and moist conditions under Boston Ivy
Heuchera
Tolerates shade well and provides year-round foliage interest beneath the vine
Japanese Painted Fern
Complements Boston Ivy's green foliage with silvery tones and thrives in similar conditions
Impatiens
Flourishes in the partial shade created by Boston Ivy and adds continuous color
Caladium
Benefits from filtered sunlight and adds vibrant leaf colors that complement fall ivy colors
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to Boston Ivy and can cause stunted growth or death
Eucalyptus
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of nearby plants including vines
Norway Maple
Creates dense shade and competes aggressively for nutrients and water
Tree of Heaven
Highly invasive and releases chemicals that suppress growth of other plants
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, very hardy
Common Pests
Scale insects, aphids, Japanese beetles
Diseases
Leaf spot, powdery mildew in humid conditions