Virginia creeper has a wide range. It is found as far south as central Florida (zone 9). A particularly hardy vine, Virginia creeper is also able to withstand cold winters in the northern United States (zone 2). It thrives as far north as the Canada border, handling winter temperatures as low as -35F.
Locating and Planting
Creepers like sun, but will grow in light shade. In shade Virginia creeper will serve as a ground cover. This vine will tolerate almost any kind of soil, as well as drought, heat, wind, air pollution, flooding and exposure. However, it appreciates loamy soil that is somewhat acid (pH 5.1 to 7.5). Purchase container grown stock to assure that the vine establishes itself promptly. Be sure to keep it moist until planting time.
Remove the vine from its container. Spread any matted or tangled roots. Dig a hole wide enough to accomodate the spread roots and as deep as the container. Set the vine in the hole so that the top of its soil ball is level with the soil surface. Fill the hole with soil, firming it around the vine stem. Plant the vine about 12 inches from its intended support to give the roots room to spread.
Amendments In Planting or Transplanting
There are a number of products at the garden center that will help your newly planted or transplanted plants deal better with the stress inherent in the planting process. All healthy plants have beneficial fungi, called mycorrhizal fungi, living on their roots. You can buy these valuable additions to your plant’s ecosystem. See the file describing Using Micorrhizae When Planting.
In addition, there are a number of products such as seaweed, compost tea, and beneficial soil microbes that when added to the planting process will help your newly established plants get going faster. See the file New Technology In Plant Growth Activators
For more information see the file on Planting Shrubs. For planting tools see Hand Tools For Digging and Planting in Yardener’s Tool Shed.