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The Garden Helper, Helping gardeners grow their dreams since 1997

How to Grow and Care for your Favorite

Flowering Vines and other Vining Plants

There are literally hundreds of different plants that are classified as 'vining plants'.
This diverse group includes annuals and perennials; climbers, crawlers and creepers; evergreen and deciduous plants...
Vines can be used as groundcovers; to climb over and disguise unsightly objects in the garden; to enhance fences, arbors and trellises; or as a screen to block the view of obnoxious neighbors....
Most flowering vines need full sun to thrive but there are a few of them that will tolerate partial shade. In deep shade you may have to settle for a non flowering vine such as one of the many types of Ivy (Hedera).
The best reason of all for growing vines is, however, simply to enjoy their beauty!

Planting and Training Vines

If you plan on growing your vining plant on a trellis or an arbor, it is important to put this support structure in place before planting, to avoid damaging the roots and stem of your vine. Set your plant in about 6-12 in. away from the support to allow enough growing room for developing stems. The vines should be tied loosley to the support using strong, stretchy materials that won't cut into growing branches. (Strips of old nylon hosiery work very well for this.) Loop each tie into a figure 8, with the crossed portion between the stem and the support to keep stems from rubbing or being choked.

Vining Plant Profiles

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Algerian Ivy Hedera canariensis Zones 4-7, full sun to deep shade, 6-8 inch variegated leaves
Autumn Clematis Clematis paniculata Very hardy semi-evergreen climber, will quickly grow to 30 feet, small clusters of fragrant white blooms in late summer and fall
Carolina Jessamine Gelsemium sempervirens Semi-evergreen, yellow trumpet blooms in spring, quickly climbs to great heights where it forms masses of foliage and bloom
Clematis armandii 'Snowdrift'   Abundant, fragrant 2-3 inch flowers in March through April. Attractive, evergreen covering for fences and arbors..
Clematis jackmanii   Abundant, small lavender-pink flowers 6 hours of full sun per day to grow best although some light shading during the hottest part of the day, pruned annually in late winter or very early spring, essential for the roots to remain cool and moist
Clematis 'Anna Karolina'   5"-6" white flowers in late Spring and again in late Summer, six to nine foot vines
Climbing Fig Ficus pumila Frost tender, this fast growing, evergreen vine lays flat so it is useful on walls and flat surfaces
Coral Vine Antigonon leptopus Vigorous growing, clusters of vivid pink flowers in late Summer, grows up to 30 ft. in a growing season before dying back in winter but returns in spring
Cypress Vine Quamoclit pinnata Fast growing annual, twining vine which reseeds to return each year, fine textured foliage, small red or white trumpet blooms in summer
Dutchman's Pipe Aristolochia littoralis Partial shade, unique 'calico' flowers, evergreen and hardy to 25° F
Evergreen Smilax Smilax lanceolata Rugged evergreen vine grown for its dramatic foliage effect, spreads by underground tubers so may become invasive
Fatshedera Fatshedera lizei A hardy evergreen cross between Fatsia japonica and English Ivy, a non-climbing leaning type vine
Golden trumpet vine Allamanda cathartica Prolific blooming frost tender perennial, a Hummingbird favorite, all parts are TOXIC
Hyacinth Bean Dolichos lablab Fast growing annual twining vine, purple foliage, pinkish-lavender blooms in summer and fall, purple seed pods in the fall
English Ivy Hedera helix Fast growing, hardy evergreen vine for shade or partial sun, good for screening
Mme. Galen's Trumpet Creeper Campsis tagliabuana Thrives in poor soil in partial shade, bright orange flowers, hardy to below 0° F
Morning Glories Ipomoea Fast growing annual vine, readily reseed themselves for the next year.
Passion Flower Passiflora incarnata Dramatic 3 inch diameter flowers, USDA zones 5-9,
Star Jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides aka: Confederate Jasmine, this evergreen vine prefers moist loamy soil, fragrant white star-shaped blooms in early summer
Trumpet Creeper Campsis radicans A deciduous, clinging vine which grows to great heights, large orange-red trumpet shaped blooms throughout the summer. A hummingbird favorite
Trumpet Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens May need support when first starting out, profuse evergreen bloomers. Great for hummingbirds.
Trumpet vine Distictus buccinatoria Blooms best in full sun but will flower in partial shade, hardy to 24° F., needs yearly pruning to keep under control.
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia Fast growing deciduous vine with rich red fall color, easily clings to walls or trellis
Wisteria Wisteria sinensis Deciduous hardy vine with clusters of fragrant lavender or white blooms in late spring, can be pruned to form large shrub or small tree

Helpful Growing Advice

Basics of Clematis care
Clematis propagation
Honeysuckle Growing Basics
Honeysuckle hardiness

Plant Identification Photos

Goldflame Honeysuckle Lonicera heckrottii