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Silver lace vine

Fallopia aubertii (syn. Polygonum aubertii)

Common names:
silver lace vine, silver fleece vine

Content Detail

Silver lace vine is a beautiful flowering vine, but it is an aggressive grower and is becoming an invasive plant in some areas. Review of risks should be undertaken before selecting this vine for planting sites.

  • Family (English) Knotweed
  • Family (botanic) Polygonaceae
  • Tree or plant type Vine
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Large plant (more than 24 inches)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Dry sites, Occasional drought
  • Season of interest midsummer, late summer, early fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, White
  • Shape or form Vining
  • Growth rate Fast

Size and Method of Climbing:

Silver lace vine can grow at least 20 feet long. It is a twining vine. Twining vines climb by twisting their stems or leaf stalks around a support. This type of vine grows well on trellises, arbors, wires, or chain-link fences.

Native geographic location and habitat:

Native to China.

Leaf description:

The simple, alternate leaves are small and almost arrowhead-shaped. No notable fall color is present.

Flower description:

Small, white flowers are held in 6 to 8 inch long, slender clusters. The flowers are fragrant.

Fruit description:

Small, pinkish seeds (achenes) are mildly showy, as the fruit are produced in quantity.

Plant care:

This vine will grow in full sun or light shade. Moist, well-drained soil is preferred, but silver lace vine can tolerate dryness. Heavy pruning is tolerated. Since the flowers are produced on new wood the plant can be cut back hard anytime from fall into early spring.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:

Japanese beetles are a pest of this plant. The plant may become a problem as it can spread underground by rhizomes.

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