Boston/Virginia creeper

christine2711

Hi I’m going mad here. I have a ‘Virginia creeper’ on my front west facing wall but it’s an untidy twining plant producing long tendrils and with smallish leaves. This is not what I was expecting. I’m looking for what my mum calls a ‘Boston or Virginia creeper’ which has larger toothed three point leaves, is self clinging, and grows much closer to the wall. Am i mixing up two different plants or can anyone help?

Fairygirl

2 different plants   
Boston Ivy [parthenocissus tricuspida] has ivy shaped leaves [clue's in the title ] with 3 larger lobes,  and Virginia creeper [parthenocissus quincefolia] ] has more finely divided, longer foliage with about 5 distinct 'fingers'. 
They're both self clinging though, but sometimes need a little help to guide them onto a support. 

josusa47

And both turn glorious red in autumn.