Vines
Tagged as: Vines
Vines add versatility to the home landscape, being both functional and decorative. Vines can be grown for their beautiful prolific blooms, attractive summer foliage, fall color, and interesting ornamental fruits and seedpods.
Evergreen vines placed on a north wall will insulate walls year-round helping to keep walls cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Deciduous vines (those that lose their leaves), especially those with larger leaves, provide shade in the summer and let the sun shine onto the house in winter.
Uses in the Landscape
- Add strong vertical elements to the garden
- Create privacy screens and archways
- Soften walls, fences, posts, or rock walls
- Train to shelter walkways or pergola
- Camouflage utility poles and other unsightly objects
- Act as a ground cover if left unsupported
Factors to Consider
Siting
- Match the vine to its light requirements: a sun-loving vine may grow in shade but won’t prosper
- Most vines prefer loose, moist, well-drained soils
- Avoid windy sites
- Consider the ultimate size and vigor, and choose proper support accordingly
Structures
You do not need elaborate structures to grow vines. Vines can creep along the tops of walls and fences, climb roof arbors, and twine around pillars, posts, trellises, or trees. No matter how large or small the structure, it is important that you pair the right plant with the right support to ensure the vine will attach properly and be supported by the structure over time.
Methods of Support
Many vines can be left to ramble along the ground without support, but all must have the support of another plant or a structure to grow above the surface of the ground. Before planting, it’s important to learn whether a vine clings or twines to the structure it will grow on. Make sure the support is strong enough to hold the vine year after year.
Twining vines climb by twisting their stems or leaf stalks (petioles) around a support, or with the use of tendrils, which corkscrew around their support. Twining vines grow well on trellises, arbors, wires, or chain-link fences.
Clinging or climbing vines attach themselves directly to a surface by means of holdfasts (adhesive discs) or by small aerial roots. This type works best on a rough surface, such as stone, wood, masonry walls, and tree trunks.
Maintenance
- Train vines to grow or adhere to supports so that their leading shoots grow upward
- Some vines may have difficulty clinging; tie them to their support
- Maintain a 2” layer of mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool
- Vines need one inch of water per week during the growing season; supplement precipitation if necessary
Pruning
Many vines have specific pruning requirements, but the following guidelines will help make vines vigorous and attractive.
- Each year remove a portion of older wood to make room for new growth
- Thin overcrowding plants to let more air and sun reach the center of the plant
- Do heavier pruning in late winter while plants are still dormant
- Prune dead, diseased, or unwanted wood back to strong buds
Caution: Clinging vines that attach with aerial roots and holdfasts can work their way into mortar cracks and can leave clinging roots on rough surfaces after the vine has been removed.
Invasive Vines
The following vines are considered weedy and invasive, and often grow out of control. They should not be considered for the home landscape:
- Ampelopsis brevipedunculata; Porcelain vine
- Celastrus orbiculata; Oriental bittersweet
- Lonicera japonica; Japanese honeysuckle
- Menispermum canadense; Moonseed
- Rhus radicans; Poison ivy
Vines for the Home Landscape
| Botanical/Common Name |
Height | Attachment | Flowers | Fruit | Exposure | Culture/Comments |
| Actinidia arguta Hardy Kiwi |
10-30' | Twining stems | Small, white, fragrant flowers in mid-May | 1 ½" kiwi (on female plants) | Full sun to part shade | Grows in rich, well-drained soil. Requires a male and female plant for fruit. Prune back heavily in late winter. (Zone 3-7) |
| Actinidia kolomikta Hardy Kiwi  |
15-20' | Twining stems |
Small, white, fragrant flowers in mid-May | Small kiwi fruits | Prefers part shade to avoid sun scorch | Grown for its 5-inch long, showy, variegated foliage of pink, red, silvery-white, and green. Grow in rich, moist, well-drained soil. (Zone 4-8) |
| Akebia quinata Five-leaved Akebia* |
25-30' | Twining stems | Clusters of purple, night-blooming, fragrant flowers in early spring | Flattened, purple-violet pod | Full shade to part sun | Clean, attractive blue-green, compound leaves are semi-evergreen. Tolerant of drought and poor soil conditions. (Zone 5-8) |
| Aristolochia macrophylla (A. durior) Dutchman's Pipe |
20-30' | Twining stems | Unusual, 1-2 inch yellow-green flowers in May | 2-3"-long tubular capsule | Full sun to part shade | Large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves grow flat against surface. Prefers moist, well-drained soil; drought sensitive. Pinch growing tips to promote side branching. (Zone 4-8) |
| Campsis radicans Trumpet Vine |
30-40' | Clinging, aerial roots | Clusters of 2-3" orange-red, funnel-shaped summer flowers | 3-5" wide capsule |
Full sun to part shade | Attractive compound leaves; thick vines need strong support; tolerant of poor sites, but needs well-drained soils; mulch well; prune heavily in early spring; native to the Southeast. (Zone 4-9) |
| Celastrus scandens American Bittersweet* |
30-40' | Twining stems | Small clusters of greenish-white flowers in May-June | Yellow-orange, 3-lobed capsule with showy red seeds | Full sun for best fruiting | Vigorous, fast growing; tolerant of poor soil provided it's well-drained; requires male and female plant to set fruit; yellow fall color; prune in early spring to keep under control and promote fruiting. (Zone 3-8) |
| Clematis Early spring bloomers (i.e.; C. alpina, C. montana, C. macropetala) |
8-12' | Twining, stems and petioles |
Flowers on last year's growth, usually small urn-shaped flowers, many colors | Many with attractive seed heads | Full sun to part shade | Prefers moist, well drained soil with a cool root zone (mulch); prune any weak or dead wood after flowering; includes many species and cultivars. |
| Clematis Mid-summer bloomers (ie., 'Elsa Spath', 'Nelly Moser', 'The President') |
8-12' | Twining, stems and petioles | Many large-flower types with variable colors | Many with attractive seed heads | Full sun to part shade | Moist, well-drained soil with cool root (mulch) zone; flowers early on last year's growth, often repeats bloom later; prune back to a strong pair of buds in early spring; many cultivars. |
| Clematis Mid-to-late season bloomers (ie., 'Niobe', 'Jackmanii' 'Ernest Markham', 'Prince Charles') |
10-20' | Twining, stems and petioles | Large and small-flowered species and cultivars | Many with attractive seed heads | Full sun to part shade | Moist, well-drained soil with cool root zone (mulch); most flower on new wood; prune stems back to the base of last year's growth or cut to ground in spring. |
| Clematis terniflora Sweet Autumn Clematis |
10-20' | Twining, stems and petioles | Sweetly fragrant, 1" white blooms appear in Sept-Oct. | Attractive, silvery seed heads | Full sun to part shade | Fast growing; requires moist, well-drained soil; keep roots cool with a layer of mulch; reduce older stems by ½ in early spring. (Zone 5-8) |
| Euonymus fortunei Wintercreeper |
40-70' | Clinging, aerial roots |
Small greenish-white, inconspicuous flowers in June | Pea-sized, berry-like capsule with showy orange seed | Full sun to part shade | Dark green, evergreen ground cover or climbing vine; tolerant of most soils and conditions, except extremely wet. Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' foliage turns plum-purple in winter. (Zone 5-9) |
| Hedera helix English Ivy* |
60-80' | Clinging, holdfasts | Greenish white rounded clusters on mature plants, Sept-Oct. | Black, berry-like drupe in Apr-May | Full sun to part shade | Low evergreen ground cover or climbing vine; winter sun and wind can dry leaves; prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil; prune to control spreading. (Zone 4-9) |
| Hydrangea petiolaris Climbing Hydrangea |
30-80' | Clinging, holdfasts | Flat clusters of 6-10" fragrant white flowers in late June-July | Showy dried flower heads | Full sun to part shade | Slow to establish; glossy, dark green leaves; attractive exfoliating bark; prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil; no pruning necessary. ( Zone 4-7) |
| Lathyrus latifolius Perennial Sweetpea |
6-8' | Climbing, tendrils | Showy clusters of magenta-pink or white flowers; June - Oct. | Small pea shaped pods | Full sun | Herbaceous winged stems with gray-green foliage; best in moist, fertile, well-drained soil with cool root system (mulch). (Zone 4-7) |
| Lonicera x brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet' Honeysuckle |
10-12' | Twining stems | Bright orange-scarlet, tubular flowers in June-Sept. |
Red-orange berry | Full sun to part shade | Blue-green, rounded leaves; needs well-drained, moist soil; keep roots cool (mulch); prune early spring to control growth; attracts butterflies. (Zone 5-7) |
| Lonicera x heckrottii Goldflame Honeysuckle |
10-20' | Twining stems | Showy, slightly fragrant, tubular whorls of red and yellow flowers from June-Sept. | Red berry | Full sun to part shade | One of the longest blooming honeysuckles; best in moist, well-drained soil; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. (Zone 5-8) |
| Lonicera sempervirens Trumpet Honeysuckle |
10-20' | Twining stems | Tubular pairs of orange-red flowers, with yellow-orange stamens in May-Sept. | Abundant, glossy red berries; Sept-Nov. | Full sun to part shade | Fast growing in well-drained, moist soil; prune after flowering to shape and control growth; attractive blue-green rounded leaves; native to eastern U.S. (Zone 4-9) |
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia Creeper*  |
30-50' | Clinging, holdfasts |
Small, greenish-white in June-July; not showy | Clusters of bluish-black fruit, Sept-Oct. | Full sun to full shade | Grown for the attractive, palmate leaflets (5), which turn crimson-red in the fall; adaptable to any well-drained soil condition; native to the Midwest. (Zone 4-9) |
| Parthenocissus tricuspidata Boston-Ivy |
30-50' | Clinging, holdfasts | Small, yellow-green terminal flowers in June | Small, blue-black berries | Full sun to full shade |
Not as vigorous as above; 3-lobed glossy green leaves turn an exceptional orange, red, and gold fall color; famous ivy of Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field. (Zone 4-8) |
| Polygonum aubertii Silver Lace Vine |
25-35' | Twining stems |
Abundant, foamy white, fragrant panicles in July-Sept. Not showy | Not showy | Full sun to part shade | Vigorous climber; needs strong support; bright green leaves emerge bronze-red; prefers moist, fertile soil; prune hard in spring. (Zone 4-7) |
| Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight' Moonlight Japanese Hydrangea-Vine |
10-25' | Clinging, holdfasts | Large, 6-8", white, lacy flat-topped flowers in late June-July | Showy dried flower heads have sporadic seeds | Full shade to part sun | Heart-shaped pewter leaves are etched with green veins; exfoliating bark; prefers moist, acidic soil; vigorous climber. (Zone 5-7) |
| Wisteria macrostachya Kentucky Wisteria* |
20-30' | Twining stems | Pendulous, fragrant clusters of 8-10" long lilac purple flowers in June | 3-5" long twisted seed pods | Full sun | Hardiest wisteria; prefers acid soils; tolerant of moist to wet soil; prune after flowering to control size and promote flowering; needs strong support; native to southeastern U.S. (Zone 4-9) |
| Wisteria sinensis Chinese Wisteria* |
30-40' | Twining stems | 6-12" blue-violet pendulous flower clusters late May | 4-6" fuzzy, brown pod; persistent | Full sun | Thick, woody stems need strong support; prefers moist, well-drained soil. (Zone 5-8)
|
| *Given the right conditions, these vines can be aggressive and control may be necessary. | ||||||
Annual Vines
Annual vines grow quickly in one season and die after the first hard frost. Annual vines do not require heavy-duty support and rarely need pruning. Use annual vines for quick cover, as a temporary screen for an unwanted view, to add vertical height, or to add color and fragrance to the garden.
Recommended Annual Vines
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea sp)
Hyacinth Bean (Dolichos lablab)
Sweet Potato Vine (Impomea batalas)
Morning Glory (Impomea purpurea)
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum offimale)
Annual Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea)
Black-eyed Susan Vine (Thungerbia alata)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
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