Boston Ivy

Boston Ivy is about as easy as climbing vines get. Give it a wall or fence to grab and average soil, and it will handle the rest.

Unboxing

• Unpack right away. Remove packaging and set the plant in bright, indirect light for a day or two to recover from shipping.
• Water on arrival. Moisten the root ball if the soil feels dry to the touch.

Planting

1. Pick your surface. Plant 12-18 in. out from the base of a masonry wall, fence, or sturdy structure. Avoid wood siding, painted surfaces, and shingles, since the holdfasts cling tightly.
2. Dig the hole. Make it twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
3. Set the plant. Position it so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, then backfill and firm gently.
4. Space multiples. Set plants 5-10 ft. apart for a solid wall of coverage.
5. Water and mulch. Soak thoroughly, then add 2-3 in. of mulch, keeping it off the stems.
6. Guide the start. Lean the young stems toward the wall or loosely tie them until the holdfasts take hold.

Watering

• First season. Water deeply once or twice a week while roots establish.
• Once established. Boston Ivy is drought tolerant; water during extended dry spells only.
• Containers. Pots dry faster, so check the top inch of soil and water when it feels dry.

Feeding

• Go light. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer once in early spring.
• Don't overdo it. Too much nitrogen produces runaway growth and weaker fall color.

Pruning

• Prune in late winter. Cut back while the vine is dormant and the framework is easy to see.
• Keep it in bounds. Trim away from windows, gutters, roof lines, and door frames a couple of times during the growing season.
• Renew old vines. Cut overgrown plants back hard; they regrow quickly from the base.

Will Boston Ivy damage my brick wall?

On sound brick, block, and stone, Boston Ivy generally causes no structural harm because it climbs with adhesive holdfasts rather than root-like anchors. Avoid growing it on crumbling mortar, wood siding, painted surfaces, or shingles, where the holdfasts can pull off finish material when removed.

How fast will it cover a fence or wall?

It is a fast grower, often adding 6-10 ft. of new growth per year once established. Most gardeners see meaningful coverage by the second season and full coverage in about three to four years.

Is Boston Ivy the same as poison ivy?

No. Boston Ivy is Parthenocissus tricuspidata, a grape-family vine with three-lobed leaves on a single leaf blade. Poison ivy has three separate leaflets and is an unrelated plant. Boston Ivy does not cause the same rash, though its sap can irritate sensitive skin.

Are the berries safe around pets and kids?

The small blue-black berries are not considered edible for people or pets and can cause stomach upset if eaten in quantity. Birds eat them readily. Plant where curious toddlers or dogs won't graze, and rinse hands after handling cut stems.

Does it lose its leaves in winter?

Yes. Boston Ivy is deciduous. After a red and purple fall show, the leaves drop and leave a textured pattern of stems on the wall until new growth pushes out in spring.

Can I grow it in a container?

Yes. Use a large pot at least 16-20 in. wide next to a wall, pergola post, or trellis. Container plants need more frequent watering and benefit from a thick mulch layer or a sheltered spot in the coldest zones.