PlantAdvice.co.uk

Less vigorous than its popular relative Virginia creeper, this deciduous climber is ideally suited to smaller gardens where it will quickly cover an awkward area such as a north or east-facing wall. Unless it is grown in a sunny spot its autumn colour is less dramatic too, but in spring and summer its leaves are very pretty - deeply divided, velvety and dark green with prominent white and pink veins. A versatile and handsome plant.

• Garden care: Provide some support until the plant is well established. (This may take up to two years). Once established tie in stray shoots and prune in early winter to keep the plant within bounds paying particular attention to stems that are encroaching on windows guttering or roofs.