By Julie Christensen
Although the name implies a sexual congress to English English ivy , Boston ivy ( Parthenocissus spp . ) really belong to a completely dissimilar genus . English ivy , which is not reliably hardy in cold climates , has get a foul reputation for being invasive in some areas . Boston English ivy is an first-class alternative , specially if you subsist north of the USDA plant life hardiness zone 5 .
Boston ivy thrives in hardiness zones 4 through 8 . It grows just in full sun , although it tolerates partial and even full shade . Related to Virginia creeper , Boston ivy has big , sheeny leaves with serrated edges . The leaves can motley in shape , but most are three - lob . Boston ivy covers the walls of many of the United States ’ most esteemed university , which is where the moniker , “ Ivy League , ” came from . Boston common ivy is aboriginal to China and Japan , but set out its name from its popularity on the East Coast .
Flickr Creative Commons photo courtesy of BrendaHorton
In the summer , Boston ivy produces fertile leaf growing and small white or immature flowers , follow by purple berries . The real show , though , starts in the tumble , when the leaves flex crimson or empurpled , creating a brilliant nightfall show . bird appreciate the berries , although they ’re poisonous to humans and pets .
Boston ivy grows quickly to height of 50 foot or more . One plant can cover an entire wall within two or three days . The plant has magnetic disk that attach to almost any Earth’s surface so it call for no living to climb . Boston ivy can become rampant , especially in rich , moist soil and a warm clime . Cut it back throughout the grow season to keep it in check and do n’t rent it grow on wood surface because it can damage the pigment or wood . It can also damage rainfall gutter and other decorative elements . It works best on stone , cement or brick .
Growing Boston Ivy Plants
Plant Boston common ivy from nursery plants or cuttings in late spring , after the last rime . Plant it in full Dominicus , for best fall coloration . Water the flora frequently during the first class , as it establishes its radical . Once establish , the plant seldom need auxiliary watering . Boston ivy tolerates almost any case of soil , including clay , moxie , alkaline , acidic , and juiceless soils . It can grow in urban configurations and in compacted soil . Boston ivy is sometimes grown as a earth covering on slopes to control eating away . It ’s also deer resistant .
Problems
Boston Hedera helix is generally pest and disease - free , although you might from time to time detect foliage spots or powdery mildew . Remove the septic leave and cut back the plant so air circulates more freely . In severe cases , you’re able to treat the plants with a fungicide .
Although dirt ball rarely trouble Boston ivy , spiders appreciate its protective ontogeny and often spin their webs in it . Cleaning out the plant and cutting it back removes some of these webs and keeps the vines looking tidy . You might observe aphids , scale and leafhoppers occasionally . They seldom cause serious damage . If necessary , treat them with a steady watercourse of piddle or reduce back the plant . Because of the vine ’s rearing growth , it ’s hard to use pesticide , such as insecticidal oil or scoop . In general , you could belike ignore the pests .
For more information on Boston common ivy , visit the pursue links :
Parthenocissus tricuspidatafrom the Missouri Botanical GardenBoston Ivyfrom the New York State Horticulture Study Guide for YouthIvyfrom Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Plantwalks hash out Boston ivyon YouTube .
Julie Christensen learned about garden on her grandad ’s farm and mother ’s vegetable garden in southern Idaho . Today , she lives and garden on the eminent knit stitch of Colorado . When she ’s not digging in the poop , Julie write about food , breeding , parenting and gardening .
