Boston Ivy
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
(par-then-oh-KISS-us) (try-kusp-ee-DAY-tuh)
Synonyms: Japanese Creeper
Not a flower but Boston Ivy never fails to deliver in the
fall color department. This is a plant that a lot of people find undesirable
but here on Long Island it is a popular Estate plant that is used to cover both
large and small masonry structures. It has taken me a little getting used to
but it has won me over with its energetic growth in sometimes very tough areas.
I personally don’t like to grow it on painted wood surfaces as it can degrade
them fairly substantially. This picture was taken in Brooklyn.
This is a clinging vine that can grow without support. The roots
secrete calcium carbonate on the adhesive pads and that allows it to stick to
walls. Now one problem I used to have was the damage it caused removing the
roots from surfaces but I have learned that by cutting the vines first so they
die the process is much easier. There are several different types available now
but I like the species for best growth. The gold form ‘Fenway Park’ is striking
and a DNA match to the ivy on the walls of the ‘Green Monster’ at the ballpark.
Just to keep things honest here is a rose covered with dew.
Roses are great this time of year as they bloom very late. I just keep
deadheading them and hope for the best. Quite often there still some flowers
and buds on the plants when they get heavily mulched and covered for the
winter. I am not sure of this variety but it looks familiar can any one guess?
