Boston Ivy

Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is the climber that turns a blank brick wall into the best feature on the property. It clings by itself with adhesive pads, needs no wires or trellis, and covers 10m of height and 5m of width where the support allows. Through summer it is a flat sheet of overlapping green leaves. In autumn, in a garden with a genuine cool season, it runs scarlet before dropping.

Why you'll love it

• It attaches itself. Adhesive pads grip brick, stone and concrete with no framework and no tying in, saving both the cost and the look of a trellis.
• Autumn colour on a vertical surface. Deciduous, and in cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens the change to red is dramatic and reliable.
• Fast cover. Once the roots are away it moves quickly, the standard answer to a large blank wall.
• Tough where it counts. Frost, heat, wind and drought tolerant once established, so an exposed western wall does not stop it.
• Winter sun, summer shade. Because it drops its leaves, a covered wall stays cool in summer and lets the winter sun through.

Where it works best

Walls and screening. Plant 1.5m apart along the base of the wall. Even spacing matters more than sheer numbers, because one plant in a corner takes years to reach the far end.

Feature planting. On a garage, a boundary fence or a retaining wall it turns a blank surface into the thing you look at, and softens modern render without a garden bed.

What to think about first. The pads mark render and can work into soft mortar, so it belongs on sound brickwork, stone or concrete. It is vigorous and needs a wall you are happy to hand over.

Growing Boston Ivy in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with sun giving the strongest autumn colour. This is a climber for cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens: Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Perth and the cooler tablelands all suit it. In humid tropical gardens it stays green and colours poorly.

Soil. Undemanding. Any reasonably drained soil will do, improved with compost, then mulched 75mm deep, clear of the stems.

Water and feed. Water twice a week through the first summer to get the roots down, after which it is drought tolerant. Feeding is optional and mostly just makes it grow harder.

Pruning. Prune in late winter while it is bare and you can see what you are cutting. Keep it clear of gutters, roof tiles and window frames, because that is where it causes problems rather than on the wall face.

What to expect when it arrives

Boston Ivy is grown in 140mm and 200mm packs and in 300mm pots. The packs are the practical choice for a long wall, since you need several plants spaced along it rather than one large one. A 300mm plant gives a stronger start on a smaller job. Plants may arrive bare in winter, which is normal for a deciduous climber.

Expect the first season to go into roots, then rapid vertical growth from the second. Plants are packed upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full climber range
• Which plants give reliable autumn colour in Australia
• Compare other fast growing plants
• Preparing a garden bed before planting

Common questions

Will it damage my wall?

On sound brick, stone or concrete it is generally fine. The pads leave marks when the vine is pulled off, and on soft old mortar or painted render they can lift the surface. Keep it off timber cladding and gutters.

How is it different from English Ivy?

Boston Ivy is deciduous, colours red in autumn and climbs with adhesive pads. English Ivy stays evergreen, roots into surfaces as it climbs and is far harder to remove once established.

Is it safe around pets?

No. The berries and sap contain oxalates and can upset cats and dogs, so it is not one to plant where a pet grazes.

Western Australia: this plant is listed as an environmental weed in WA, where it escapes from gardens into bushland. We do not recommend it for WA gardens. Please choose a local alternative.