Recommended Vines : Perennials
Bougainvillea. It’s hard to beat the bright or iridescent red, orange or newer pastel hues of this tropical vine. Bougainvillea is frost-tender and needs to be protected inland. Hard frost can kill canes, but frequently cutting back will regenerate the plant.
Mandevilla. Produces large, showy flowers. One of the most popular is Alice du Pont. Glossy dark green leaves and flowers from early spring through fall make this a popular plant. This vine is more restrained and can be used on decks or patios when planted in a large container with an attached trellis. It can also be trained on fishing line to arch over an entrance.
Solanum jasminoides. Evergreen vine that can grow to 30 feet. The flower clusters of white or white tinged with blue bloom in profusion most of the year.
Thunbergia gregorii. Orange clock vine produces tubular bright orange flowers in great abundance, almost all year. This is a vigorous vine, reaching 20 to 25 feet, and can even be grown in a hanging basket or cascading over a wall. It’s also a good ground cover.
Trachelospermum jasminoides. Isn’t a true jasmine but is a popular vine because of its sweet fragrance and restrained growth. A moderate grower that can reach 20 feet. It can be kept smaller with regular pruning.
Vigna caracalla. It’s known as snail vine because the fragrant, light lavender flowers are shaped in snail-like whorls. This is a rampant grower with vigorous tendrils reaching out in all directions. It explodes in the summer heat with a mass of delicate leaves and flowers. Excellent for covering large expanses. Although the tendrils will twine on themselves, it needs initial support through trellising or filament wires. Cut it back in winter, and the vine will regenerate in spring.
Annuals
Ipomoea (morning glory, heavenly blue). The summer annual, planted from seed, put on a vigorous, showy flower display without invading the garden, as does the rampant perennial morning glory.
Ipomoea alba (moonflower). Seeds for this summer annual should be planted in late fall so the heavily fragrant flowers have time to form by summer. Fast growing, to 30 feet, they can be trained along vertical lengths of fishing line or on arbors or fences. Flowers open in the evening. For continual flowering, interplant with heavenly blue morning glory, which blooms only in daylight.
Lathyrus odoratus (sweet pea). These annual flowering vines grow best from seed. Plant in early fall to enjoy flowers by the end of the year. Can easily be trained along trellis or netting. Be sure to provide support as soon as tendrils form several inches above soil level. Pinch out tips when plant is four to six inches long to encourage side shoots to create fuller plants with more flowers.
Scarlet Runner Beans. Showy vine producing bright scarlet flowers, followed by pods of beans that are edible while they’re very young. Plant these fast-growing vines from seeds in March or April.
