My AccountVines Add Color, Texture, Shade
Given the proper training, vines play many roles in the garden. Vines add old world grace when grown over trellises, are excellent at covering unattractive fences or slopes, add a romantic scent to entryways and arbors, and soften the look of walls and structures. As floral specimens, they are prized for their abundance of scent and color. Self-climbing vines twist to wrap around upright objects, so you only need to provide a route. Others need a bit of help to climb structures, but soon grow with enthusiasm in our mild climate.
Stephanotis floribunda (Marsdenia f.) – The wonderfully rich scent of Madagascar Jasmine is superb on the patio, over an entrance, or in a container where it can be enjoyed up close. This self-climbing vine produces pure white tubular 2 inch long waxy blooms that are long-lasting both in the garden and when cut.
Mandevillea x amabilis 'Alice du Pont' – This vine is a best bet for profuse displays of flowers. This fast-growing climber produces an abundance of bright pink trumpet-like blooms throughout the warmer months. Each flower lasts for several days. This showy evergreen climber is a lovely choice for a trellis or arbor.
Rosa 'Cecile Brunner' Climber – This vigorous climbing rose can grow to 30 feet, so give it plenty of room. Also known as the Sweetheart Rose, 'Cecile Brunner' is particularly beautiful covering some type of structure with its masses of pale silvery pink miniature blooms on almost thornless stems. Good disease resistance.
Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Veitchii' – Boston Ivy is vigorous, growing to 20 feet high and wide depending on how it is trained. It clings to rough surfaces, making a sensational show on a stone or brick wall or up a strong tall tree. The green leaves of summer give way to an outstanding display of flaming fall color. Young plants require some training until established.
Vigna caracalla (Phaseolus c.) (Phaseolus gigantes) – This twining legume will be the talk of the garden. This fascinating vine has greenish/lavender buds shaped like a snail's shell that bloom into striking purplish-blue and white fragrant flowers that retain their snail-like shape.
Lonicera hildebrandiana – Burmese Honeysuckle is a fast-growing evergreen vine that develops into a highly sculptural woody form with age. Tubular flowers begin white then turn yellow and then orange in mid-fall and are attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. This fragrant vine is especially suited to entryways.
Distictis 'Rivers' (D. riversii) (Bignonia riversii) – The showy 5 inch violet trumpets that grace the Royal Trumpet Vine fade to light lavender throughout the warm months. This evergreen vine grows rapidly and can get quite large, 30 feet tall and wide. It must be supported by a trellis or grown over a garden wall.
Solandra maxima (S. guttata) – The large buttery yellow flowers and glossy foliage of Cup-of-Gold Vine make this vine a tropical treat. Solandra maxima is a vigorous woody vine that will climb two stories if given proper support. The showy funnel shaped flowers exude their fragrance on warm summer nights.
Dalechampia dioscoreifolia – Imagine all the color of a Bougainvillea without the mess or thorns. The tiny flowers of the Costa Rican Butterfly Vine are outshone by the purple bracts that surround them. Imitating purple butterflies, these "flowers" appear nearly year round with peak bloom from summer through fall. Vines can grow 15-20 feet with support.
Thunbergia grandiflora – Easily mistaken for the Morning Glory, the Sky Flower produces clusters of 3 inch sky blue flowers all summer. The lush foliage is large, smooth, and heart-shaped. Fast growing in warm weather, this vine easily covers a trellis or large section of fence in one season. Vigorous even in shade.
Clytostoma callistegioides (Bignonia violacea) (Bignonia speciosa) – Get ready for a springtime show of spectacular pale lavender trumpets streaked with violet and purple. The showy Violet Trumpet Vine uses its tendrils to hang on tight to climb over fences and structures. This is a large plant that needs space.
Passiflora vitifolia – Calling all hummingbirds, the Red Granadilla has striking red flowers from spring to fall that produce edible fruit. This hardy climber has large grape-leaf shaped foliage that looks wonderful over a trellis or use on a slope for erosion control. Growth to 30 feet.