Boston ivy

A climbing woody vine (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) native to eastern Asia, having three-lobed deciduous leaves that turn red in the fall and cultivated for its ability to cover the outer walls of buildings.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Boston ivy

(Plants) the US name for Virginia creeper²

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Bos′ton i′vy

a climbing woody vine, Parthenocissus tricuspidata, of the grape family, native to E Asia.

[1895–1900]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

Boston ivy - Asiatic vine with three-lobed leaves and purple berries

Japanese ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata

vine - a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

genus Parthenocissus, Parthenocissus - woody vines having disklike tips on the tendrils

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References in periodicals archive

Some of the most common landscape plants that have been reported to be toxic when eaten are azaleas and rhododendrons, boxwood, pyracantha, mahonia, hydrangea, trumpet vine, Japanese honeysuckle, Virginia creeper, Boston ivy, and wisteria.

Safety a concern with plants

Boston ivy also falls into this category of creepers.

Made for shade: beat the summer heat with structures and plantings designed to cool things down a bit

Virginia creeper and Boston ivy with their lovely autumn colour will scale the wall in no time.

YOUR GARDEN: Q&A - Factory wall is so ugly

Because Boston ivy drapes over the sides of the spout during summer, making it appear to float on the water.

Love triangles. (Water features)

Screen an ugly wall with trellis climbers - Boston ivy is a good choice.

Gardening people: Size doesn't matter; TV's hottest young gardener, Matt James, lives in a flat with only a balcony for grounds. But a lack of space needn't stop anyone creating their own natural haven, he tells STEVE RICHES

The safest vine for brick, stone or stucco siding is Parthenocissus (Boston ivy, which is hardy in zones 4 through 8; and Virginia creeper, hardy in zones 3 through 9).

Handy hints for your yard garden

Already, deciduous Boston Ivy is adding an autumnal red warmth to the masonry surfaces.

The organisation

There are no landscaping rules against blending different plant varieties (evergreens with deciduous shrubs, for instance) or integrating them into commercial fencing (Boston ivy climbing posts and gates, grape vines clinging to walls.) Vines and shrubs soften the look of chain link and privacy fencing.

Traditional fence or borderline hedge? Each has its advantages, disadvantages Hedge: Blending a fence, plants is an alternative

The Enchanted Forest scented candle, PS32, Chase & Wonder Boston Ivy mug, midnight blue, PS12, Clarissa Hulse, clarissahulse.com Hurn & Hurn Discoveries deer head with gold Hare lamp with black shade, PS139.95, audenza.com

Weave some woodland magic; LOVE NATURE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR? GABRIELLE

Boston Ivy Mug - Midnight Blue, PS12, Clarissa Hulse

Let nature in to your indoor life; Love nature at this time of year? Gabrielle Fagan reveals how to embrace the season's rich palettes and enchanting details indoors

The Enchanted Forest scented candle, PS32, Chase & Wonder Boston Ivy mug, midnight blue, PS12, Clarissa Hulse, clarissahulse.com Hurn & Hurn Discoveries deer head with gold birds wall decor, black, PS108, hurnandhurn.com Hare lamp with black shade, PS139.95, audenza.com WANDER A WOODLAND PATH "There's a growing trend to reconnect with nature and bring the outdoors in, and our [new collection] merges modern design with a classic country aesthetic," says Julie Varma, senior design director, George Home.

Weave some woodland magic

These tough shrubs blend well with a scattering of native valley oaks and more recently planted California pepper, California sycamore, and Italian cypress trees, while vining Boston ivy and wisteria soften walls and structures.

LAND OF PLENTY: A California couple makes the move from urban coastal living to a country homestead in Ojai