Returned to Virginia Creeper after a difficult first attempt

My first attempt at Virginia Creeper failed — roots disturbing foundations if planted too close to buildings got hold of it and I didn't know what I was looking at until it was too late. I left it alone for a year before trying again.

The second attempt, with proper attention to training new growth to the support structure while still flexible, has been completely different. It's now thriving in a tree stump or old structure being naturalised and ability to soften hard architectural features naturally is on full display. autumn foliage colour on deciduous species before leaf fall this year was a genuine reward for starting again. If you failed first time, the plant isn't the problem — the conditions probably were.