Identify by feature
Climber with aerial roots or sucker pads: which one is it?
A climber that clings to a wall or tree without support using short aerial roots is usually common ivy or climbing hydrangea; if it holds on with tendrils ending in sucker pads, it is Virginia creeper.
4 species with this feature
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Common ivy Hedera helix
Climber
Evergreen climber with glossy, lobed leaves and clinging aerial roots.
NativePoisonous
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Climbing hydrangea Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris
Climber
Deciduous climber with aerial roots, round, toothed leaves and large, flat, white flower heads in June.
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Virginia creeper Parthenocissus
Climber
Climber with tendrils, usually tipped with adhesive pads, and brilliant red autumn colour.
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Trumpet vine Campsis radicans
Climber
Climber with aerial roots, pinnate leaves and clusters of large, orange-red trumpet flowers in late summer.
Tip: Ivy is evergreen and only flowers in autumn; climbing hydrangea loses its leaves and flowers in June with white, flat clusters. Virginia creeper turns bright red in autumn.