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Parthenocissus henryana (Silver Vein Creeper) - A scrambling semi-deciduous vine that climbs by tendrils and disk-like suckers with green and red leaves that have a silver white coloration following the veins of the leaf. These leaves are palmately compound with the middle leaflet being the largest and with the leaf bases and underside being entirely colored a maroon red. Before going deciduous it turns to shades of orange and red.
Plant in sun or shade, water regularly. Hardy to around -10 °F. This vine spreads quickly to 16-20 feet but is generally more restrained and not as dense growing in comparison to other Parthenocissus species. It is particularly noted for its decorative red foliage and is useful and attractive growing up on a fence or trellis.
Parthenocissus henryana is native to China where it grows on rocks or along hillsides and moist rocky cliffs from 300 to 5,000 feet in elevation in the providences of Chongqing, Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Yunnan. The name Parthenocissus comes from Greek word 'parthenos' meaning "virgin" and 'kissos' (Latinized as 'cissus"), an ancient name for an ivy-like vine. The reasons given for this name vary with some believing it comes from the fact that some species in the genus form seeds without pollination (Apomixis) or that the scientific name actually was in reference to the English common name "Virginia creeper" for this plant since Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth I, also known as the the "Virgin Queen". The specific epithet was named to honor the Irish botanist and plant collector Augustine Henry. This plant was first introduced into California in 1936 by John Armstrong of Armstrong Nurseries and was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993. Another common name for this plant is Chinese Virginia Creeper.
The information displayed on this page about Parthenocissus henryana is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.
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