Parthenocissus quinquefolia Yellow Wall- Virginia Creeper

The Parthenocissus quinquefolia 'Yellow Wall' is a variety of Virginia creeper that stands out with its bright yellow autumn foliage. This vigorous climbing plant, which loses its leaves in winter, is capable of covering a wall or pergola within three years, transforming any support into a golden wall at the end of the season. Its stems cling thanks to tendrils equipped with hooks that do not damage their support but will need to be regularly trained. Very hardy, adaptable to the soil and indifferent to the exposure, it is an excellent variety that will pair beautifully with its sister, the 'Red Wall' with scarlet autumn foliage.

The Parthenocissus quinquefolia belongs to the large family of Vitaceae, and is closely related to our grape vines. The species is native to the United States, particularly Oregon. The cultivar 'Yellow Wall' differs only in the colour of its autumn foliage. It is a fast-growing climbing bush, which develops long and sturdy woody climbing stems, capable of reaching heights and widths of over 12m (39ft). The deciduous foliage appears in spring and falls in October-November. In spring, the young shoots are reddish in color. They unfold into thick leaves with 3 to 7 (usually 5) elliptical and dentate leaflets, measuring 5 to 14cm (2 to 6in) long. These leaves are green in spring and summer, then turn golden yellow before falling. On the stem, opposite the leaf insertion point, either a ramified tendril or an inflorescence develops. The young branches curl, forming a kind of small hook. It is common for a small adhesive ball to form upon contact with a surface, allowing the stem to attach more securely. The flowering takes place in June-July, in the form of small insignificant clusters of green flowers. After pollination by insects, small round fruits of black-blue colour form, which are not edible by humans but highly appreciated by birds.

With its abundant and incredibly bright vegetation in October, the Parthenocissus quinquefolia 'Yellow Wall' is unmatched in invading an old hedge, covering even a very shady wall, a pergola, or climbing in tall trees. It can be paired with a vigorous Clematis montana 'Tetrarose', a variegated yellow 'Goldheart' ivy, or even a 'Winter Ruby' star jasmine, for example.