Looking for a lush, native vine to adorn your garden or trellis? Look no further than Parthenocissus inserta, also known as False Virginia Creeper or Thicket Creeper. This woody vine is native to North America, spanning from Canada to the southern United States. It can reach impressive heights of 20-30 meters, using small, branched tendrils to climb with ease. The vine boasts palmately compound leaves with five leaflets and a toothed margin, and the brilliant fall colors are indistinguishable from the Virginia Creeper. In late spring, small greenish flowers appear in clusters, maturing in late summer or early fall into small, hard purplish-black berries that provide an important winter food source for birds. While it may be very closely related to Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus inserta differs in its means of climbing and cannot climb smooth walls, only through shrubs and trees. But don't let that deter you - this vine adds a natural, wild charm to any outdoor space.
