Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy - Evergreen Trees Direct

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy

$45.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 20cm

20cm

Current Stock Height Guides

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m to 20m (climbing, with support)

Mature Width: 5m to 10m (coverage dependent on pruning)

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy

Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Boston ivy, is a vigorous deciduous climber that fastens itself to walls with sticky pads on short tendrils. The glossy three-lobed leaves overlap into a flat green sheet through spring and summer, then turn scarlet and burgundy in autumn before dropping to leave bare tracery.

It grows quickly, covering 10 to 15 metres of wall given time, and takes full sun or part shade in almost any drained soil. Cool temperate and temperate districts suit it best, and it is frost hardy once established. Wind and urban conditions do not bother it. Water steadily while it establishes.

Use it on brick and stone walls, boundary fences, retaining walls, pergolas and carpark structures where a green face is wanted without a support frame. Prune it clear of gutters, window frames and painted render. For a plain wall it is the quickest way to soften a hard surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Boston Ivy

What is Boston Ivy?

Parthenocissus tricuspidata is a deciduous self clinging climber in the grape family. It attaches to surfaces with adhesive pads on short tendrils, so it needs no wires or trellis. The three-lobed leaves overlap into a flat green cover through the warm months and turn deep red before dropping in autumn.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

Deciduous. It loses its leaves through the colder months, leaving a fine tracery of stems on the wall. That is often an advantage, since the wall warms and dries in winter, and the summer cover returns quickly in spring. If you want year-round green, a different climber is the better choice.

How fast does it grow and how far will it climb?

It is vigorous once established and will cover 10 to 15 metres of wall given time, often putting on several metres in a good season. The first year is slower while the roots settle. Plan for the eventual extent, because it will keep going past gutters and window frames if nothing stops it.

Will it damage walls?

On sound brick, stone or concrete it is generally fine, and the adhesive pads do not penetrate the way some roots do. On painted, rendered or weatherboard surfaces, and on old mortar in poor condition, it can lift the finish, and removing it leaves marks. Keep it off gutters, tiles and window frames.

Does it need sun or shade?

It grows in full sun or part shade, and it will manage on a south-facing wall that gets very little direct light. Autumn colour is strongest in a sunny position and more muted in shade. Both aspects give reliable cover, so choose based on the wall you need covered rather than the light.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes, it is frost hardy once established and it is at its best in cool temperate and temperate districts, where the winter chill drives the autumn colour. It also grows in warmer regions, though the colour change there is less dramatic and shorter lived. Wind and urban conditions do not trouble it.

How do I prune and care for it?

Water while it establishes and give it a well-drained soil at the base, ideally with the roots shaded. Prune in winter when the stems are bare and the outline is easy to read, cutting it back clear of gutters, windows and roof edges. An annual trim keeps it where you want it.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Council or Civic Landscapes

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy works in an:

Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.

Is Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy Evergreen or Deciduous?

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 15m to 20m (climbing, with support)

Mature Width: 5m to 10m (coverage dependent on pruning)

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast).

Growth Rate of Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy

Is Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy frost tolerant?

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy Flower?

Parthenocissus tricuspidata does not produce ornamental flowers. Its small greenish blooms appear in summer but are insignificant, with the plant instead valued for its vigorous growth and spectacular autumn colour.

Does Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy an Australian Native Tree?

No

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy is Native to China, Japan, and Korea, where Parthenocissus tricuspidata grows naturally on rocky slopes, forest margins, and cliff faces in temperate regions.

What is the Wildlife Value of Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy ?

Its dense climbing foliage provides excellent shelter for small birds and beneficial insects, creating valuable habitat on walls, fences and vertical structures. The berries that follow flowering are also a seasonal food source for birdlife, supporting local biodiversity in urban and garden environments.

How much Sunlight does Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy need?

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Parthenocissus tricuspidata performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils with a neutral pH. It will also tolerate a range of soil conditions if improved with organic matter to support moisture retention and steady growth. Avoid poorly drained or waterlogged sites unless significantly improved, as excess moisture can stress the root system. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the plant matures.

Is Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy Drought Tolerant?

Is Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it benefits from regular watering to establish well, particularly during warmer weather. Once established, Boston Ivy shows good drought tolerance and performs reliably through dry periods, although occasional supplementary watering will support the healthiest foliage and strongest seasonal colour.

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How To Plant Your Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy

Site: Choose a sheltered position in full sun to part shade with a sturdy trellis, fence or support nearby for training.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth, close to the support structure.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply and tie the leading stems loosely to the support.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy

Training distance: 1.5 to 2 metres between plants along a trellis, fence or pergola for full coverage.

Feature climber: Allow a single specimen 2 to 3 metres of support to develop a full canopy of foliage and flowers.

Pot or container: A 50 centimetre wide pot with a sturdy trellis support suits a single plant in a courtyard or balcony.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy is expected to grow 1m to 2m per year (fast).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods, with extra water through flowering.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Light prune after the main flowering flush to shape and direct new growth. Tie in young stems to maintain coverage on the support.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy in Different Soil

Parthenocissus tricuspidata performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.