Vinca? Looks like it might just be starting out if it is vinca. I have vinca minor that I planted as a ground cover for a spot that I thought nothing would grow in. It does trail and is good for covering up/erosion control. If that's not what you wish for, I'd take it out now. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FEvergreen-Ground-Plants-contains-plants%2Fdp%2FB009ZIGDIG&psig=AOvVaw35Gi0JY1Y3XtP--ucZKVpV&ust=1621373372127000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCKCtq9HU0fACFQAAAAAdAAAAABAH

According to google, we are zone 6a

Looks like a clematis. If that’s what it is, good plant to have. You may need a trellis or similar support for it to climb on.

Specifically, it is Clematis terniflora, aka sweet autumn clematis. And since that is a listed invasive in various areas, maybe a lot more foe-ish or not such a good plant to have :-)

I do have other clematis plants in the backyard, but none look like this. Now I'm off to do a search under clematis plants.

Clematis terniflora is rather unique with the white center striping on juvenile foliage. I don't know of any other clems that have that feature. And since it is one of the very few clematis species considered invasive and able to pop up just about anywhere, it's a pretty safe ID bet :-)

gardengal48, Wow if it is autumn clematis that is interesting. I had put one in several years back and it never took off and appeared to die off. The location of this plant is about 5 feet from where it had been planted. I'll have to relocate it as from what I understand they get huge, and I'll have to have it up next to the fence for additional support. I always loved them and I don't think they are invasive in this area. I have another clematis that looks very much like it but doesn't get as big and blooms in the spring/early summer. The name is currently evading me... I'm still surprised this reoccurred. Who knew!? I currently have 6 other clematises and I'm always happy to add another.

I'm going to check with my local extension office before replanting (vs. yanking it out) to ensure it is not invasive in this area.

It’s not a kind of poison ivy? 3 leaves, the outer two are mitten-shaped?

I use this app on my phone to id plants, "Picture This" It is pretty accurate.

I agree that it is a sweet autumn clematis. They can be quite invasive. We are still trying to get rid of one we planted on a trellis against a fence - it spread underground to our front yard and is tangled in some tall azaleas and wants to climb our porch and go into our gutter. We keep yanking it out but haven't been able to completely get rid of the root system. On the other side of the house, we planted one to climb over our outdoor shower structure and that one has been well-behaved. Lovely, small fragrant white blooms late season.

Pay your money and take your chances, I guess...

That's interesting seagrass_gw. As I've researched it sounds like it spreads through seeds, and it is recommended that you cut it back before the flowers go to seed to prevent spread. I'm trying to find something that indicates that it spreads through the root system and haven't yet found that. It sort of makes sense given how it showed up about 5 feet from my original planting, although perhaps the seeds were dormant in the ground until now. But then you have to consider that it grows 30+ feet in a few seasons so it does become quite a monstrous plant. Having it over your outdoor shower must be really lovely. Do you prune it down in the fall after it flowers?

Sweet autumn clematis in bloom are beautiful and smell wonderful, but they would take over my gardens in two years if I did not work every single growing-day to cut them, dig them, pull them. I prefer to enjoy them in someone else's garden, preferably far away.

It’s been correctly identified by gardengal. It’s 100% not poison ivy. Nor Vinca. And no app is necessary when you have a reliable human. The compound leaves and white markings are unmistakeable. 😉

If we knew where it’s growing it would be an easy matter to establish its potential invasiveness.

Sweet Autumn clematis; I cut it down every year at winter's end to about 12" and it stays manageable.

Jlsch - we don't prune the one on our outdoor shower - only cut back the dead stuff in the spring after it starts leafing out. It is one large, woody stem and behaves differently than the one in front of the house. I don't know if there are different cultivars??

Gracie, I live in southern Wisconsin so not too far from you. Just curious what kind of supports you use for yours?

Seagrass, from what I’ve read it‘s key to cut it back in the fall after it flowers, as it spreads by seeds. However, it also sounds like a very established one could spread by the roots, but I’m not entirely sure about that.

Gardengal, that is what I have read as well and good to know. Most of my other clematis also bloom on new growth so that’s good to know.

I’m still on the fence, more due to the size. I have no problem doing a hard prune in fall to contain reseeding, but wish I was more confident about the potential for it to spread through the roots. That would be a definite deterrent.

Thanks to all for your feedback!

You have not said what references you've solicited information from. I suggest you take a look at sites that discuss behavior of invasive exotic plants, not solely gardening websites.

I can personally vouch for having to continuously seek out stray sprouts from the long persistent root system of this highly invasive species in KY. Introduced to my landscape about thirty years ago, I soon understand the reason to NOT have this one, but rather to have the native Clematis virginiana. Unfortunately, Sweet Autumn Clematis is not deterred by your dislike for it. Fortunately, I can tell the difference between the two species (toothed margins on Virgin's Bower; no teeth on SAC).

They BOTH will sucker from their extensive root systems, this being one of their survival mechanisms. They can reproduce by seed, but they don't need to.

ViburnumValley, thanks so much for that clarification. I’m going to pull it, and from the sounds of it may continue to do so over time if it resurfaces. It is not listed as invasive in Wrisconsin, but I’m not sure it is worth the risk. There are too many other lovely clematis options!

I have mine growing up and over a metal arbor.

I've had seven of these over time, and all of them died out after a few years. I know a couple of them were in a spots that were probably too

shady. I didn't have this problem with

most other kinds of clematis I have tried. I suspected something about the heavy soil and winter root rot. Not sure they would be invasive in zone 5.