did you know?

Vines use different means to attatch themselves to walls or supports. Ivy anchors itself with aerial roots, chocolate vine has flexible stems that corkscrew counterclockwise around supports as it grows, while clematis uses its leaf stalks. Porcelain berry, like passionflower, relies on its twining tendrils to grasp supports and secure itself in its climb.

general maintenance:

Help guide and train vines as they climb their supports. As a ground cover, porcelain berry requires no maintenance provided it does not spread where it is unwelcome.

pests/diseases:

Flea beetles, Japanese beetles, powdery mildew, and downy mildew may occur.

controls:

To control flea beetles, apply diatomaceous earth, following label instructions. Handpick Japanese beetles, and destroy. To control mildews, increase space between plants for better air circulation and avoid wetting leaves when watering. Pick off diseased leaves where practical, and remove and destroy severely infected plants. As a preventive for powdery mildew, spray plants weekly with a mix of 4 teaspoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon horticultural-oil spray per gallon of water.

how to sow/plant:

Choose a sunny to partly shady site, and set plants out in spring at the same depth they were in pots, 3?4 feet apart. Porcelain berry's stems will naturally root where they come in contact with soil. Divide and transplant these rooted segments in spring or early summer.

water and fertilize:

Monitor soil moisture all season. In early spring, feed with an all-purpose fertilizer, following label directions.

features:

• Attractive Fruit
• Deciduous
• Fall Foliage

garden uses:

• Climbing
• Ground Cover
• Naturalizing

other uses: