Silver Veined Creeper

An exceptional creeper with brilliant autumn colour. Quick to establish and grow, it is adored by landscapers the world over. The deeply divided leaves have an almost velvet texture and change throughout the seasons.

The new, palmate leaves have a purple blush through which the silver veins create a dynamic highlight. They mature through to a lush green in the summer, then a triumphant red in autumn. The photographs we have used does not do it justice - we need to get the camera out more often!

Parthenocissus henryana is a self clinging, woody climber perfect for covering a wall, fence, arch, tree or trellis. It is sure to draw plenty of comment from garden visitors. You could even grow it as a ground cover, letting the tendrils ramble at will or cover a slope.

It is not quite as fast as Virginia Creepers but it will take more shade - though the red autumn colour is unlikely to be as intense without good sun. It is more contained than the Boston Ivy.

Parthenocissus henryana holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit so you know it will has been put through its paces.

The summer clusters of tiny, green flowers are sometimes followed by dark blue or black berries. Both are insignificant in comparison to the foliage but the birds enjoy them.

Fair warning, it is self clinging and the suckers will mark paint work but, as far as I'm concerned it can ramble where it likes as the benefits far outweigh a few spots on the paint! To get going it may require a few ties but once established it will take care of itself.

Common names include Chinese Virginia Creeper, Silver Vein Creeper.