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Green fast growing both short and tall growth. Did not have it previous years but taking over an area that had ground cover.

Is this a fast growing weed or a ground cover or some sort of climbing ivy?

New York update Ductchess county NY Thanks so much Nancy

VividD
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nancy jarecki
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1 Answers1

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What you have is either Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) or woodbine (Parthenocissus vitacea) judging by the shape of its leaves. Both grow as a vine but it may take a while longer to become noticeable. Both are in the same genus as Boston ivy which is not a true ivy.

Woodbine https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenocissus_vitacea

Virginia creeper https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenocissus_quinquefolia

Jude
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  • Note that this is very different to the woodbine that Shakespeare refers to and UK usage which refers to *Lonicera periclymenum* (more commonly referred to as european or common honeysuckle) – George of all trades May 30 '17 at 07:38
  • *Parthenocissus* can make quite good ground cover but as they are self-clingers they will climb when they encounter anything vertical. – George of all trades May 30 '17 at 07:39
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    Once established this plant will cover houses, cars and slow moving animals. It is subject to grape beetles and turns a nice red in the fall. Not recommended for a small area – kevinskio May 30 '17 at 10:20
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    kevinsky - I wish that was true in one of my homes (different province in Canada) as it was slow to get established. Even then, the growth was slow. I wanted it to cover a very ugly wire mesh fence. In all the time we lived there, it didn't go more than a couple of yards on either side. I guess it depends on whether it knows you want it or not, and with growth being inverse proportion to your fondness of it! – Jude May 31 '17 at 04:25