Different virgin vines or ornamental vines

The cultivation of virgin vines

The planting of ornamental vines is ideally done in spring or autumn, when the soil is still warm and sufficiently moist to encourage good rooting.

They appreciate well-drained soils rich in organic matter, as excess water could harm their development. After planting, regular watering is recommended for the first few weeks, then only in case of prolonged drought.

A light pruning at the end of winter helps to control their growth and stimulate dense and harmonious foliage. Finally, an annual application of compost or organic fertiliser at the base of the plant contributes to good vigour and vibrant colours in autumn.

Virginia creepers (Parthenocissus)

Virgin vines are native to North America and Asia. They are robust and vigorous plants that cling on their own thanks to tendrils with suckers at the ends. They have large green leaves that turn orange to purple in autumn. Plant them in partial shade, in cool, rich, but well-drained soil.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata Veitchii - Boston Ivy

Very popular, this variety has superb green leaves with three lobes, which take on red or purple hues in autumn. It bears dark blue berries.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 10 m

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Parthenocissus tricuspidata Fenway Park - Boston Ivy

This is a variety with bright, light green-yellow foliage. Its leaves tend more towards yellow when planted in the sun, and become a bit greener when in the shade. It takes on vibrant hues in autumn.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 10 m

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Parthenocissus tricuspidata Atropurpurea- Boston Ivy

This virgin vine offers remarkable dark red foliage, particularly intense. It takes on a beautiful bronze colour in summer and then returns to red in autumn.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 15 m

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Parthenocissus quinquefolia Engelmannii - Virginia Creeper

This variety is notable for its foliage that turns a bright red in autumn. The leaves are also a bit finer than those of the typical species.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 12 m

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Parthenocissus quinquefolia Star Shower- Virginia Creeper

This virgin vine has very original foliage, green variegated with cream white. In autumn, it turns a soft red-pink, a gentler and less vivid shade than other varieties.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 10 m

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Parthenocissus henryana

This is a superb botanical species with bicoloured foliage, green marked by broad white veins. Its leaves turn bright red in autumn.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 7 m

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Ampelopsis

They are virgin vines very close to Parthenocissus. They are remarkable for their colourful, inedible berries.

Ampelopsis glandulosa var. maximowiczii

This variety originating from Asia is interesting for its decorative fruits, which form small blue and purple berries, with very beautiful shades! Its foliage colours in autumn.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 4 m

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True ornamental vines (Vitis)

These are true vines, from the genus Vitis, like those cultivated for grapes. You can train them to climb on a trellis or pergola, where they will cling using their tendrils. Plant them in well-draining soil, in a sunny or lightly shaded position.

Vitis coignetiae - Ornamental Vine

Native to Asia, this vine has large green leaves that take on beautiful hues in autumn, turning yellow, orange, and then red. They are divided into three to five lobes. It bears dark blue fruits in autumn, but they are not edible. It has been awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

• Flowering time July
• Height at maturity 12 m

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Vitis vinifera Purpurea - Grape Vine

This vine has beautiful green leaves tinged with red, which then turn purple in autumn. They are slightly smaller than those of the previous species. It bears small black berries in autumn, which are not edible. Plant it preferably in the sun.

• Flowering time July
• Height at maturity 6 m

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How to make the best use of virgin vines in the garden?

Ornamental vines are perfect for dressing up the garden with elegance and dynamism. Their evolving foliage throughout the seasons adds a natural and decorative touch, whether in a large space or a small green corner.

What structures to grow them on?

• Walls and facades: Virginia creepers (Parthenocissus) cling on their own thanks to their suckers and quickly cover a wall. They are ideal for giving a vegetal charm to buildings without damaging them.
• Arbours and pergolas: true vines (Vitis) are perfect for creating pleasant shade in summer while allowing light to pass through in winter. They can also provide decorative clusters.
• Trellises and fences: perfect for structuring a garden and masking an unsightly fence or wall.
• Trees and bushes: some varieties can climb on a tree without suffocating it, creating a natural and wild effect that is truly beautiful.

Combining with other climbing plants or bushes

Ornamental vines can be combined with other plants to create beautiful contrasts:

• With climbing roses: for a colourful and romantic flowering.
• With clematis: their light flowering complements the dense foliage of the vines.
• With evergreen bushes (such as holly or laurel): to maintain a vegetal decor in winter.
• With ivy: for a year-round green effect and an interesting contrast between deciduous and evergreen foliage.

Ideas for small spaces: varieties suitable for balconies and terraces

If you’re short on space, some more compact varieties can be grown in pots on a balcony or terrace:

• Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Minutifolia’: a Virginia creeper with more moderate growth, ideal in a container with a trellis.
• Ampelopsis brevipedunculata ‘Elegans’: a beautiful variegated vine with decorative berries, which grows well in pots.
• Vitis vinifera ‘Purpurea’: an ornamental vine with purple foliage that can be trained on a small support.

Did you know?: Ornamental vines, particularly Ampelopsis and certain Parthenocissus, produce decorative berries that feed birds in autumn and winter, thus contributing to local biodiversity. Their dense foliage also provides a refuge appreciated by many beneficial insects, such as ladybirds, and can even serve as shelter for lizards and small mammals.