Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Green Showers'

Boston Ivy

Green Showers Boston Ivy

‘Green Showers’ is a vigorous deciduous woody climbing vine selected for extra-large, glossy green leaves that create a bold, dense wall of foliage. The leaves are usually three-lobed to variable in shape and turn rich burgundy to red-purple in fall. Small, inconspicuous flowers are followed by blue to blue-black berries that add ornamental interest and attract birds. Like other Boston ivy, it climbs by tendrils with adhesive disks, allowing it to cling directly to walls, masonry, fences, arbors, and large trellises without tying.

Type: Deciduous woody vine
Mature Size: 30–50 ft. wide/long × 30–50 ft. tall, depending on support and pruning.
USDA Zones: 4a–9b
Form: Fast-growing, self-clinging, climbing or spreading vine
Light: Full sun to part shade; best fall color usually develops with more sun
Soil / Water: Highly adaptable; tolerates a wide range of soils and urban conditions; average moisture once established.
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring to early summer; flowers are inconspicuous and the plant is grown mainly for foliage.
Wildlife: Blue to blue-black berries attract birds; dense growth can provide cover.

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for covering large walls, brick or stone buildings, fences, arbors, pergolas, large trellises, slopes, banks, and groundcover areas where fast coverage is needed. ‘Green Showers’ is especially useful when a bolder, larger-leaved Boston ivy is wanted. Use carefully on painted wood, siding, shingles, gutters, or delicate masonry, because the adhesive disks cling tightly and can leave marks or cause damage when removed.

Care:
Plant where it has plenty of room and prune regularly to keep it off windows, gutters, rooflines, vents, and nearby trees or shrubs. Prune in late winter to early spring, with additional summer trimming as needed. Once established, it is tough and low-maintenance, but it should be managed so it does not grow into cracks, under siding, or across structures where removal would be difficult.

Plant type

Vine

Height

50'

Width

30'

Hardiness zones

3–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring, Spring

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Dark Red

Soil

Highly Adaptable, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Trellis

Shape

Climbing

Bark

Smooth

Fruit

Yes

Drought tolerant

No