Climbing vines can fill a variety of niches in your landscape. They can be
used to enhance a desirable feature such as a chimney or wall or mask
a less attractive feature such as a chain link fence or a storage
shed. Vines can vary from simply providing a nice, green foliage to
bearing wonderful flowers and fruits. When considering what type of
vine to plant in your landscape, it is helpful to know what the plants
need from you and what you can expect from them. Not all vines climb
in the same manner. They can be grouped together as plants that climb
by leaning, weaving, rooting into the support, grasping (often with
tendrils) or have thorns. When you know how a specific vine grows,
you can provide the type of support it needs. Trellises are the most
commonly used support for vines, but some climbers (such as roses,
bougainvilleas and alamandas) cannot attach themselves to a trellis.
Many vines are also suitable as ground covers, sprawling instead of
climbing up, and others are allowed to drape out of pots and window
boxes.
Perennial Climbing Vines Fiveleaf, Akebia quinata Weaving; fast growing;
purple flowers in spring followed by dark purple fruit; zone 4-5;
full sun to light shade. Porcelainberry, Ampelopsis brevipedunculata Weaving; fast growing; greenish flower in summer followed by porcelain blue berries in fall; zone 4;
full sun to light shade.
Dutchman's Pine, Aristochia durior Weaving; fast growing; yellow-brown flower and insignificant fruit; zone 4; full sun to light shade.
Bittersweet, Celastrus scandens Twining; fast growing; yellow-white flowers and orange berries on female plants only; zone 2; full sun to light shade.
Clematis, Clematis Twining and clasping leaf stems; moderate growth rate; various colors; zone 4; full sun to light shade; roots need to stay cool.
Honeysuckle, Lonicera Weaving and twining; fast growing; red-orange flower; zone 4; full sun to light shade.
Climbing Hydrangea, Hydrangea petiolaris Roots into the supports; moderate-slow growth rate; white flowers; zone 4-5; full sun to moderate shade.
Boston Ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata Roots into the supports; maple-type leaves; fast-moderate growing; insignificant flowers and blue-black berries;
zone 4; full sun to moderate shade.
Engelmann Ivy, P. quinquefolia same as Boston Ivy except leaves have 5 parts; also known as Virginia Creeper and Woodbine
Silver Lace, Polygonum aubertii Weaving; fast growing; white flowers and insignificant fruit; zone 4; full sun to moderate shade.
Trumpetcreeper, Campsis radicans Roots into supports; moderate growth rate; orange flowers; zone 4; full sun to light shade.
Wisteria, W. sinensis Twining and grasping; fast growing; purple flowers; zone 5; full sun.
Climbing Roses, Rosa Leans/thorns for support; moderate growth rate; various colors; various zones; full sun.
Grapes, Vitus Weaving and tendrils; fast growing; various colors fruit; zones 3-5; full sun to light shade.
Kiwi, Actindidia arguta and A. kolomitka Weaving
and grasping; fast growing; A. kolomitka has variegated foliage;
fruits; zone 3; full sun to light shade.
Annual Climbing Vines Morning Glory, Ipomoea Weaving and twining; fast
growing; several colors; full sun to light shade. Scarlet Runner Bean, Phaseolus coccineus Weaving and twining; very fast growing; red blooms; full sun to light shade.
Hyacinth Bean, Dolichos lablab Weaving and twining; fast growing; purple blooms, stems and pods; full sun.
Moon Vine, Ipomoea alba Weaving and twining; fast growing; white blooms; full sun.
Cardinal Climber, Ipomoea multifida Weaving and twining; fast growing; red blooms; full sun.
Black Eyed Susan, Thunbergia alata Weaving and grasping; fast growing; yellow blooms with black center; full sun.
Sweet PeasLathyrus odoratus Tendrils; fast growing; various colors; full sun.
Climbing Nasturtiums, Tropaeolum majus Weaving and leaning; fast growing; various orange/red/yellow; some variegated foliage; full sun.
Cypress Vine, Quamoclit Weaving and twining; fast growing;
red flowers; ferny foliage; full sun.
Tropical Climbing Vines Mandevilla, M. x amabilis Weaving and twining;
moderate growth rate; pink (some white or yellow) flowers; full sun.
Dipladenia, Mandevilla splendens Weaving and twining; moderate growth rate; bright pink flowers; full sun.
Allamanda, A. cathartica Leans on support; moderate growth rate; yellow flowers; full sun.
Skyflower, Thunbergia grandiflora Weaving and twining; fast growing; sky-blue flowers; full sun.
Passion Flower, Passiflora Tendrils; fast growing; mostly blue or red flowers; full sun.
Jasmine, various types Jasminum Leans on support; moderate growth rate; mostly white blooming; full sun.
Bleeding Heart Vine, Clerodendrum thomsoniae Weaves and leans; moderate growth rate; flowers white w. red hearts; full sun.
Bougainvillea, B. glabra Leans, thorns help to hold
it in place; moderate growth rate; various colors; full sun.
Recommended Products Quality Vines and Seeds
Trellising and Other Supports
Gardening Tools and Gloves
Bachman's Garden Fertilizer 10-20-10
Packaged Soils and Amendments
For Additional Information on Vines Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch
Gardening For Dummies Bachman's Indoor Plant Sheet Blooming Vines Taylor's Guide to Vines and Groundcovers
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