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Inconspicuous green
Vine

Virginia Creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

A tough native climber grown for spectacular scarlet fall color and berries that 35+ bird species eat.

the Northeastthe Mid-Atlanticthe Southeastthe Midwestthe Great Plainsthe South-Central region

Growing Virginia Creeper

Covers walls, fences, and bare banks fast, in sun or full shade. The blue-black berries are a major fall fuel stop for migrating birds — but toxic to people. It’s deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, good fall color, easy to grow, and fast-growing.

Where it grows

Virginia Creeper is native to the Northeast. In the wild you’ll find it across Alabama · Arkansas · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa and 32 more states. Always confirm it suits your specific county with your state native plant society before planting.

Regional Garden shows Virginia Creeper on 42 state pages.

Good for

Sourcing

Where to buy Virginia Creeper

Seeds & live plants on Amazon

Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.

Browse on Amazon

Some links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.

Plant it with

Companions & kin.

Natives that share Virginia Creeper’s range and conditions.

Ornamental grass

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

The towering 'turkey-foot' grass that once defined the tallgrass prairie, head-high by fall.

  • Full sun
  • Dry to wet
  • 4–7 ft
  • Fall color
Ornamental grass

Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Tall golden plumes catch the autumn light above a classic tallgrass-prairie planting.

  • Full sun
  • Dry–average
  • 4–7 ft
  • Fall color
Ornamental grass

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

The backbone grass of the prairie — blue-green in summer, glowing copper and silver all winter.

  • Full sun
  • Dry–average
  • 2–4 ft
  • Fall color
Ornamental grass

Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum

An upright, clumping grass with a summer haze of pink seed heads and reliable golden fall color.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry to wet
  • 3–6 ft
  • Fall color