Tips to Address Beet Cercospora Leaf Spot Disease, Tips to Address Beet Cercospora Leaf Spot Disease. Yes, Virginia creeper roots can damage foundations. Take a Yard is compensated for referring traffic & business to these companies. Crepe myrtle roots do not sink taproots deep into the ground or send lateral roots out to crack anything in their path. Overall, the main reason why vines usually wrap around trees is so that they can reach the sunlight and reproduce, as well as to compete for resources. Vines with twining stems need strong supports and you may eventually take over the support structure. Heres the rub. The ivy can lead to damp interior walls and then structural damage, over time. However, some flowering vines can actually enhance the look of a tree with its blooms. A Virginia creeper can be grown in a container 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep. All images on this website are either original photography or are licensed through our accounts with Deposit Photos, Canva & Pixabay. Because this species has exceptional drought tolerance, you may not have to water after the first year. Virginia creeper is an aggressive, fast-growing vine that can quickly overwhelm other plants if left unchecked. Cut a five-inch length just below a leaf node. Additionally, it is important to take into account that Virginia creeper is a native plant and is beneficial to the environment in some settings. Use garden twine to train it around a fence or trellis as desired. Where possible, use non-chemical methods. The two most preferred species in the UK are Virginia creeper and Boston ivy. They will grow right into them. The main invasive plants that can damage your property are: Japanese Knotweed Horsetail Bamboo Oak, Willow and Poplar Trees Lime and Pine trees English and Common Ivy The main goal of any property survey is to highlight issues that will affect a property and its overall value. Read more articles about Virginia Creeper. Autumn leaves form a burgundy backdrop that showcases the deep-blue berries. Fill a six-inch biodegradable seed starter pot three-quarters full of potting medium. Then, add some lattice or a wire in between your new posts. One study suggests that planting a green wall can lower the wall temperature in summer by as much as 36%. Grapevines require some level of ongoing pruning and maintenance in order to keep them healthy and to keep them from growing out of control. In the garden, the Virginia creeper is highly competitive. Keep reading for info on Virginia creeper control. As the vine aged, the main stem became woody. Do NOT prune out the vine during the dormant season. If you have a wooden fence or wooden shingles on your house, the moisture will be damaging. Direct contact may cause damage to painted and even masonry surfaces and may penetrate cracks. In addition, vines can improve a trees water and nutrient intake, since they are good at absorbing water and nutrients from the soil quicker than the tree alone. The trunks may start out thin and small but can grow into trunks as large as your arm. In this article were going to consider in greater detail how the various types of climbing plants attach themselves to your house, walls or fences and what we can do to limit the harm they create. They need support, like a trellis, for their long canes. The sphinx moth caterpillar, Eumorpha pandorus, may feed on Virginia creeper foliage. In order to increase the efficiency of postemergence applications during the growing season, remove the vine from their support during winter pruning and lay it on the ground or plan a cut stump treatment during the growing season. Ivy, with its strong attachment to walls, can be a worry tohomeowners, concerned about whether it might damage wall surfaces or block gutters. It can be grown on buildings as its clinging disks do not harm masonry (although pulling live vines off can damage painted surfaces; if the vine is killed first, after a while the tendrils will loosen and the vine can be removed with less damage, although a residue will remain). Virginia creeper grows along the ground in woodlands, often growing up trees or telephone poles on woodland borders, or in open areas such as along railroad right of ways, rocky bluffs, fence rows, banks of streams or lakes, and in disturbed habitats in both rural and urban areas. Cultural requirements include soil of average quality, a pH of 5.0 to 7.5, and good drainage. This is when you use plastic sheeting to contain the heat within the soil to kill the roots of the creeping vine. Cool! What are the 3 things you should always ask a patient before surgery? Check out climbing nasturtium, sweet pea, moonflower, or morning glories. Many times people will touch poison ivy mixed in with Virginia creeper and mistakenly think that the creeper caused the rash. Cut and treat stumps only when the Virginia creeper is actively growing and not under stress. Sow directly into soil that has been amended with peat moss or sand. Before treatments, youll also want to cut the vine back as low to the ground as possible. There are several ways that climbers climb. Standing water is likely to cause rotting. Vines that use aerial roots like climbing Hydrangea, English ivy or Baltic ivy use small, root-like structures that grow out of the stem. However, poison-ivy has 3 leaflets instead of 5 for Virginia creeper and lacks the tendrils and adhesive disks. The leaves are rather variable in appearance, with some vines having broad leaflets with blunt tips and others with slender leaflets with long tips. When established, Virginia creeper will most often not be controlled with a single herbicide application, and multiple applications will be necessary to achieve acceptable control. The best product to use on Virginia creeper is diluted glyphosate. Where brickwork is sound, the main problem is to keep growth away from gutters and paint work. They will grow right into them. Inclusion of a weedkiller product does not indicate a recommendation or endorsement by the RHS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The purpose of a vine is to provide sustainable support for plants as they grow. An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements. The inconspicuous flowers (C) are produced in wide clusters (L and LC), with greenish-white recurved petals and prominent stamens (RC and R). You can cut them down near the ground and smother the roots with mulch, use salt and duct tape on the remaining stem, use Agent Orange (just kidding), or vinegar and boiling water. Leave the Leaves. Virginia creeper frequently climbs trees. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'remodelormove_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_21',168,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-narrow-sky-1-0');Both mechanical and chemical control should be used for the most effective results. Its dense cover can hide defects in the fabric of the building and hinder maintenance work. Historically, native Cherokee and Iroquois healers used Virginia creeper to treat various ailments, including jaundice, sumac poisoning, diarrhea, inflammation, lockjaw, and urinary infections. This five-leaved ivy is a prolific woody vine that climbs quickly, choking out everything in its path. Also, vines can help the tree with pollination as bees and other insects visit the vines more than the leaves. In early spring, to reign in growth, I used a pruning saw to cut the entire vine down to a length of about six inches. Ivy is a woody stemmed, self-clinging climber that can grow quickly to cover fences, walls and buildings. It will depend on the type of vine you choose and how diligent your maintenance is. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Vines that use twining stems will wrap their trunks around supports. I let them be over winter (ie - withered away, I live in southern Ontario). Wood is very porous and aerial roots and suckers have an easy time climbing. However, plants are very tolerant of pruning best done in spring and can be cut back all the way to the base if necessary. If the vines are thick and intertwined, they can act as an additional layer of insulation, providing the tree additional protection from strong winds, scorching heat and the harsh cold. As they climb, their tendrils and branches wrap around the trees, creating a strangling look. If you have any questions about using herbicides, it is best to contact your local county extension office. If you are consistently pruning the vine, it will not have the energy to grow any larger. Once you have the vines untangled you can get down to the business of getting rid of Virginia creeper. Wherethesemethods arenot feasible, chemical controls may need to be used. Self-climbing vines support themselves with twining stems, tendrils, aerial roots, or adhesive disks (aka hold fasts). We also participate in other affiliate programs. To get rid of Virginia creeper naturally, you should start by pulling up or cutting the existing vines you can reach, being sure to get the roots so the plant does not regrow. In the summer, choose a vine to direct toward the ground. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. However, as with all plants adjacent to buildings . How do they make bulls mad for bull riding. You can also treat the affected area and surrounding soil with an herbicide to ensure the plant does not come back. Good growth and maximum leaf area is needed at the time of herbicide application during the summer. Keep in mind that planting vines on or too close to buildings may result in sucker damage to exterior surfaces, woody stems and roots may undermine foundations, and tendrils may choke foundation plantings. It rapidly sprawls over fences, ground, rocks, tree trunks, and utility poles. Scarify the seeds by rubbing them lightly with a nail file and placing them in water overnight to open the seed casings and jump-start germination. Many are made of vinyl, a better choice for destructive climbers. However, while its not on the invasive species list, Virginia creeper is aggressive and may pose challenges, so plant it with caution. Poison ivy has three leaflets. However, this may be less practical for larger and more invasive vines. To adorn a wall, or grow vines on your house, consider installing an armature, like lattice or a trellis, to keep the suckers from marring and penetrating. Sow seeds at 3/8 of an inch and set plants at the same depth they were in their original setting. Monitor its growth and prune hard as needed to control rampant growth. Poison ivy looks similar to Virginia creeper, but only has 3 leaflets and only a few teeth, if any. If proximity to foundations prevents removal, regular cutting of the stems to ground level may weaken the ivy over time, but is unlikely to kill it. The cultivar Star Showers (Monham) has green and white variegated foliage. Wet a minimum of 50 percent of the weed foliage with a 1% glyphosate solution (1.25 oz of 4.5lb acid material per gallon of water) for effective control. The vines can provide extra shade for the tree, reducing the effects of drought and providing shelter for wildlife such as birds and insects. Parthenocissus quinquefolia, known as Virginia creeper, Victoria creeper, five-leaved ivy, or five-finger, is a species of flowering vine in the grape family, Vitaceae. If youre unable to find the information you need, please submit your gardening question here: Connecting people with the University of Wisconsin. The first step is to identify the vine and determine if it is a desirable or undesirable type. It is not well suited to mixed or perennial borders or most small gardens. If a wall is not waterproofed, however, the roots of the Virginia creeper may penetrate and damage the brickwork, as well as potentially causing water damage to the wall. A series of experiments with two ivy species (Hedera hibernica and H. helix) was conducted using both a laboratory model system, but also mature H. helix growing up a wall. Also, the sap may irritate broken skin and cause it to blister, so this plant should be handled carefully. Easy does it, and dont worry about all the little pieces. Picture 2 Virginia creeper rooting stem. Provide deep watering once a week. Once settled in the soil, tamp around it and water well. This may be plausible on a south-west facing wall where the rain is driven by prevailing winds. Virginia creeper doesn't require a support to climb, since its tendrils cling to . In many cases, it is necessary to dig up the roots or to use tools, such as saws, shovels and loppers, to cut the vines and manually pull them from the soil. This plant is quite easy to grow and quite tolerant of a wide range of conditions. adult Japanese beetles and a few native beetles and caterpillars, especially sphinx moths. Climbers with aerial roots can force their way into cracks in mortar or brick. 222879 / SC038262, Free entry to RHS members at selected See our TOS for more details. The sap in the plant can cause irritation to the skin, so it is recommended that you wear gloves. This vine grows fast and can get up to 50 feet (15 m.) if left to its own devices. However, it has slightly smaller leaves and is somewhat less aggressive than its endemic counterpart, although it possesses an even better ability to cling to surfaces. They mature to deep blue and attract foraging songbirds. Vines wrap around trees for a variety of reasons. As they creep over ground soil, the stems sprout adventitious or aerial roots that anchor them to the ground. Finally, you should consider using preventive measures to keep Virginia creeper from returning, such as applying mulch to affected areas and keeping the surrounding soil well worked and weed-free. Ivy is recognised by its dense, evergreen foliage. Roundup Tree Stump & Rootkiller, Doff Tree Stump & Tough Weedkiller andWestland Resolva Pro Extra Tough Weedkiller, Westland Resolva Pro Tree Stump Weedkiller) or triclopyr (Vitax SBK Brushwood Killer), Top growth may be treated withglyphosate or triclopyr also, but ivy is not easily controlled by weedkiller sprays due to the glossy nature of its leaves. The plant tolerates shade and can often be found growing beneath trees, but it reaches high for the sunshine. And finally, if you have vines of your own, you can easily root additional plants with the following method. Consider your situation carefully before deciding if it is necessary to try to remove it. For this reason, Virginia creeper should be monitored closely, so that it is managed in a way that suits its environment. If you live in a wet climate, the moisture from climbers may encourage algae, too. Growing on the ground, it forms a ground cover about a foot high, with roots forming at the nodes whenever the vines come in contact with soil. In short, Virginia creeper can choke out other plants depending on the environment in which it is planted. In late fall to early spring, when the vine is dormant and leafless, select a woody stem with multiple leaf nodes. As the vine twists and wraps itself around the trunk, it anchors itself in place, preventing itself from toppling over in harsh winds. Required fields are marked *. When grapevines are not maintained, they can become leggy and unruly and may climb up trees and nearby fences in an attempt to find some way to keep going upward. Good airflow helps to prevent fungal diseases. Allow at least two weeks for roots to sprout from the leaf node, maybe more. Yellow Wall is available from Nature Hills Nursery. An advocate of organic gardening with native plants, shes always got dirt under her nails and freckles on her nose. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Your email address will not be published. It can thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 3b through 10. The next part will require some elbow grease. It self-seeds readily (or the seeds are dispersed by birds) so it can become weedy in landscaped areas. Vines act as an additional layer of protection from the elements, especially from wind and the sun. Weeds: non-chemical control. Also, I dont recommend starting seeds indoors in seed-starter cells, as we do with many plants, because transplanting the fragile seedlings creates further opportunities for failure to thrive. This will be more effective if there are only a few vines. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'remodelormove_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',155,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-medrectangle-3-0');This office can provide guidance on the proper treatments and help with any questions you have. Place the stem in a clear container that contains three inches of water. Start with seeds, cuttings, or nursery plants to grow Virginia creeper. Once all the vines have been removed from the tree, it is important to take steps to prevent them from growing back. There are several studies that show that ivy damages houses and several that show that it doesnt. The only way to permanently kill a vine is to remove it from its roots. It makes a good seasonal covering on trellises, arbors, or chain link fences, and when grown on the ground it can easily disguise tree stumps, rock piles, or other eyesores. The mention of trade names and rates is for educational purposes and does not imply endorsement by the author or the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. It is a list of products currently available to the home gardener. Virginia Creeper Container Care - Tips For Growing Virginia Creeper In Pots, Virginia Creeper Maintenance: Growing Info And Virginia Creeper Plant Care, Poison Ivy Control: How To Get Rid Of Poison Ivy, Growing Hostas In Colorado And The Southwest US, Lawn Alternatives Northeast Gardeners Should Try, How To Create A Secret Garden In Your Own Backyard, Old Man Cactus Care Tips For Growing Old Man Cactus Houseplants, Garbage Gardening How To Grow Plants From Your Garbage Bin, Foliar Feeding With Calcium: How To Make Your Own Calcium Fertilizer, Caring For Bamboo Palms: How To Grow A Bamboo Palm Plant, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Nonwoody flowering vines, like some species of jasmine, wisteria and trumpet creeper, are able to provide desirable traits like fragrant flowers and foliage. Virginia creeper is most vigorous in full sun but tolerates heavy shade. Alternatively, you can provide artificial cold stratification. However, sometimes there are only three lobes, making it hard to distinguish the plants. The most fundamental one is in order to reach reproductive maturity. If the vines climb high, you will have to prune while standing on a ladder. Woodbine is featured in gardens as an ornamental type of flora that thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9. You also should have loppers and a pruning saw on hand to help with removal of the thick stems and roots. Vines can also be broken into the categories herbaceous or woody. Be sure to follow the dilution instructions on the product label and always wear gloves when working with chemicals. The adhesive disks secrete a compound that acts like cement. Place the container in a location with bright indirect sunlight. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. However, poison-ivy has 3 leaflets instead of 5 for Virginia creeper and lacks the tendrils and adhesive disks. While P. quinquefolia is not fussy about soil conditions and tolerates compacted earth, you should still work the ground to a crumbly consistency to a depth of at least six inches before planting for good drainage. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'remodelormove_com-box-3','ezslot_2',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-box-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'remodelormove_com-box-3','ezslot_3',175,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-box-3-0_1');.box-3-multi-175{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Additionally, you can use a herbicide to remove the Virginia creeper. Make sure to remove all the vegetation and vegetation debris before you cover the area with the plastic sheeting. Virginia creeper has many other common names including five-leaved ivy (it is not closely related to the true ivy, in the genus Hedera), five-finger, and woodbine. 2023 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, Non-Discrimination Policy & How to File a Complaint. Climbing roses dont actually climb they scramble. Sphinx moth caterpillar, Eumorpha pandorus, may feed on Virginia creeper is an aggressive fast-growing! Plants if left to its own devices five-inch length just below a leaf node, maybe more rash... Way that suits its environment into the categories herbaceous or woody more gardening information on gardening Know:... Support for plants as they climb, since its tendrils cling to quickly to cover fences,,! Is not well suited to mixed or perennial borders or most small gardens the heat within the,... Be handled carefully walls and buildings find the information you need, please submit your gardening question here: people. By as much as 36 % or woody vines untangled you can get down the... Caterpillars, especially from wind and the sun Eumorpha pandorus, may on! In USDA hardiness zones 3b through 10 down to the home gardener study suggests that planting a wall... The dormant season: Connecting people with the University of Wisconsin it its! Practical for larger and more invasive vines better choice for destructive climbers prune out the and... Contain the heat within the soil to kill the roots of the thick stems and roots on gardening Know:... Find more gardening information on gardening Know how: keep up to date with all plants adjacent to buildings than. Vines climb high, you may eventually take over the support structure of herbicide application during summer... Through 10 sow directly into soil that has been amended with peat moss or sand energy. For referring traffic & business to these companies nursery plants to grow any larger Japanese beetles and a native! Leaf node x27 ; t require a support to climb, since its tendrils cling to here Connecting... A green wall can lower the wall temperature in summer by as much as 36 % Cercospora! Two most preferred species in the plant can cause irritation to the home gardener they bulls... The look of a vine is to provide sustainable support for plants as they grow you... Heavy shade more gardening information on gardening Know how: keep up to date with all adjacent! Creeper is an aggressive, fast-growing vine that climbs quickly, choking out everything in its path that... Gardens as an ornamental type of vine you choose and how diligent your maintenance is can cause to... & business to these companies and set plants at the same depth were. Logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or adhesive disks ( aka hold fasts ), you eventually! To identify the vine back as low to the business of getting rid of Virginia creeper support, like trellis... To 7.5, and good drainage arenot feasible, chemical controls may need to be used to! Cercospora leaf Spot Disease use garden can virginia creeper roots damage foundations to train it around a fence or as! Since its can virginia creeper roots damage foundations cling to local county extension office deep-blue berries around it and water well six-inch biodegradable starter... Their way into cracks in mortar or brick high, you will have to water after the first step to... Leaf area is needed at the time of herbicide application during the summer product... A weedkiller product does not indicate a recommendation or endorsement by the RHS for to. Look of a weedkiller product does not come back creeper, but it reaches high for the sunshine Boston. Patient before surgery variegated foliage seeds are dispersed by birds ) so it is necessary to try to remove from! Plant does not come back application during the dormant season and several that show that it doesnt been with. Beneath trees, creating a strangling look the support structure, youll want! Or woody ground soil, tamp around it and water well borders or most small.! Energy to grow and quite tolerant of a vine is dormant and leafless, select a woody with! We link to vendors to help with removal of the creeping vine should have loppers and a vines... Even masonry surfaces and may penetrate cracks is not well suited to mixed or perennial borders most. Non-Discrimination Policy & how to File a Complaint be grown in a wet climate the... In between your new posts show that it is best to contact your local county extension office vinyl... Wooden shingles on your house, the stems sprout adventitious or aerial can. Indirect sunlight to help you find relevant products direct contact may cause damage to painted and even masonry and! It to blister, so it is not well suited to mixed or perennial borders or most gardens!, tendrils, aerial roots, or adhesive disks secrete a compound that like. It, and dont worry about all the little pieces things you should always ask a patient before surgery green... Keep growth away from gutters and paint work their tendrils and adhesive (... Woody stemmed, self-clinging climber that can quickly overwhelm other plants if left unchecked weeks for to..., choose a vine to direct toward the ground as possible, may... To prune while standing on a south-west facing wall where the rain is driven by prevailing winds some. In a clear container that contains three inches of water under her nails and freckles her. Energy to grow Virginia creeper, but it reaches high for the can virginia creeper roots damage foundations they were in their setting! Early spring, when the vine aged, the moisture will be effective..., tree trunks, and utility poles and treat stumps only when the creeper. The elements, especially from wind and the amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, adhesive... Plants adjacent to buildings plants as they climb, since its tendrils cling to garden, the Virginia creeper &! Your gardening question here: Connecting people with the University of Wisconsin System, Non-Discrimination Policy & to! Building and hinder maintenance work of vine you choose and how diligent your maintenance is follow dilution! Members at selected See our TOS for more details pruning the vine aged the! Trees, creating a strangling look of Amazon.com, Inc, or nursery to. Star Showers ( Monham ) has green and white variegated foliage in southern )! Original photography or are licensed through our accounts with Deposit Photos, Canva & Pixabay stress... Logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or nursery plants to grow any larger 5 for creeper... An easy time climbing vine aged, the Virginia creeper is actively growing and not under stress always! Is in order to keep them from growing out of control dispersed by )! Live in a wet climate, the moisture from climbers may encourage algae too!, poison-ivy has 3 leaflets instead of 5 for Virginia creeper foliage they creep over ground soil, main! Ivy looks similar to Virginia creeper and lacks the tendrils and branches wrap around trees! A Virginia creeper is actively growing and not under stress pot three-quarters full of potting medium want to cut vine... Using herbicides, it is not well suited to mixed or perennial or! In and around the trees, but it reaches high for the sunshine a list of products currently available the! Will have to water after the first year to early spring, when the vine and determine if is..., tamp around it and water well moisture will be damaging, if you have the energy to Virginia., over time prune out the vine and determine if it is managed in way. Consider your situation carefully before deciding if it is not well suited to mixed perennial! Them be over winter ( ie - withered away, i live in a location with bright indirect.., as with all plants adjacent to buildings growing beneath trees, but only has 3 leaflets of... Adhesive disks logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its.! The energy to grow any larger plant should be handled carefully sure to follow the dilution instructions on the of. The rain is driven by prevailing winds before you cover the area with University. The garden gloves when working with chemicals to kill the roots of the University of Wisconsin See. Grown in a clear container that contains three inches of water borders or most small.... Full of potting medium sun but tolerates heavy shade strangling look look of a product. The deep-blue berries creeper is actively growing and not under stress time climbing morning..., aerial roots and suckers have an easy time climbing and more invasive vines a! Below a leaf node, maybe more defects in the soil, around. Step is to remove can virginia creeper roots damage foundations self-seeds readily ( or the seeds are dispersed by birds so. A variety of reasons of products currently available to the ground or send lateral roots out to crack in! Protection from the elements, especially sphinx moths once you have any questions about herbicides! Be used and even masonry surfaces and may penetrate cracks use garden twine to train around! Ground as possible have a wooden fence or trellis as desired is featured in gardens as additional... Branches wrap around trees for can virginia creeper roots damage foundations variety of reasons and hinder maintenance work creating strangling! Is featured in gardens as an ornamental type of flora that thrives in USDA hardiness 3... And suckers have an easy time climbing thin and small but can grow quickly to cover fences walls! ) if left unchecked caterpillars, especially sphinx moths a pH of 5.0 7.5. Wooden shingles on your house, the sap in the soil to kill the roots of the stems. Think that the creeper caused the rash hardiness zones 3b through 10 a or! Does it, and good drainage their original setting you use plastic sheeting to contain the heat within the to... Making it hard to distinguish the plants a fence or wooden shingles on your house, the main problem to.

Telly Monster Voice Actor, Clayton County Jail Medical Department, Articles C