This article was published originally on 6/11/1999
Byline:
by Cindy Haynes, Department of Horticulture
Vines add interest to all gardens. They offer a wide variety of leaf forms, textures, and colors as well as attractive flowers or fruit. Perennial vines do not need replanting every year and can be used as a screen and to provide shade, fragrance, or fruit. They are often incorporated into gardens along walls, fences, trellises, arbors, or in containers to add height quickly in a limited space.
Vines are often categorized by their means of support. There are several ways vines climb or attach themselves to a structure. Some vines like Wisteria literally wrap themselves or twine around a structure. Other vines like grapes use modified leaves or tendrils to attach and pull themselves up a structure. Still others like Virginia creeper or English ivy use their roots or root-like structures to adhere like cement to a wall or structure as they climb. The type of vine planted will determine the necessity for a support structure. A twining-type vine will require a structure and possibly some attachment to grow vertically. A vine with root-like holdfasts will often climb a wall easily without any additional support.
Please see the following pages for a list of several common perennial vines.
| Name | Means of Support | Exposure | Comments |
|---|
Actinidia kolomikta
Kolomikta Actinidia | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | Dark green leaves tipped in white or pink; hardiest of the Actinidia; fragrant white flowers in spring; edible small fruit |
Akebia quinata
Five-leaf Akebia | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | Aggressive vine with five shiny medium green leaflets per leaf; inconspicuous flowers; produces fleshy, purple 2 to 3 inch long pods |
Ampelopsis brevipeduniculata
Porcelain Vine | Tendrils | Sun to Partial Shade | Showy multi-colored blue, cream, or purple berries in late summer; variegated leaf forms available; can be invasive |
Aristolochia durior
Dutchman's Pipe | Twining | Partial Shade/ Shade | Aggressive vine used as screens in shady sites; inconspicuous white to brownish-purple, pipe-shaped flowers in spring; fragrance considered unpleasant |
Campsis radicans
Trumpet Creeper | Roots | Sun | Bright orange, scarlet, or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers in summer; attracts hummingbirds; may need strong support; suckers profusely and can become invasive |
Celastrus scandens
American Bittersweet | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | Bright orange and yellow berries in fall; grows rapidly; male and female plant needed for fruit set |
Clematis spp.
Clematis | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | Large, showy flowers available in many colors; numerous varieties to choose from; Summer blooming; Long-blooming |
Euonymus fortunei
Wintercreeper | Roots | Sun to Partial Shade | Semi-evergreen vine often used as groundcover; 'Purpurea' a green leaf form that changes to purple in winter is popular |
Hedera helix
English Ivy | Roots | Partial Shade to Shade | Semi-evergreen, dark green leaves that require winter protection; often used as a groundcover in shady sites; many cultivars are available; 'Thorndale' and Bulgaria' are two of the hardiest |
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris
Climbing Hydrangea | Roots | Partial Shade to Shade | Large, flat white flowers on top of dark green leaves in summer; works well when planted against tree trunks; slow to establish |
Lathyrus latifolius
Perennial Pea | Twining | Sun | White, rose, or magenta flowers beginning in summer and continuing to fall; little or no fragrance |
Lonicera x heckrottii
Goldflame Honeysuckle | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | Clusters of red and orange tubular flowers with yellow throats that bloom throughout the summer; attracts hummingbirds |
Lonicera 'Dropmore Scarlet'
Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle | Twining | Sun / Partial Shade | Clusters of bright red tubular flowers throughout summer and into fall; attracts hummingbirds |
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia Creeper | Roots | Sun to Shade | The emerging leaves are bronze-green changing to dark green by summer; five leaflets per leaf; brilliant red or burgundy fall color; climbs brick or stone walls easily |
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Boston Ivy | Roots | Sun to Shade | Large three-lobed dark green leaves that turn a brilliant yellow, orange, or scarlet in fall; climbs brick or stone walls easily |
Polygonum aubertii
Silver Fleece Vine | Roots | Sun | Bright green leaves that have red tips when young; large clusters or creamy white flowers appear in late summer or early fall; aggressive climber or groundcover |
Vitis spp.
Grape | Tendrils | Sun | Dark green leaves that are often three or five-lobed; edible purple, red, or white fruits in late summer or early fall |
Wisteria spp.
Wisteria | Twining | Sun | Fragrant white, pink, lavender, or violet pea-shaped flowers borne on long clusters in late spring or early summer; blooms inconsistently in Iowa |
Vines with root-like holdfasts like Virginia creeper can cause damage to the sides of buildings especially wood siding. It is best to grow these types of vines on another structure a few inches in front of the siding to allow adequate air circulation and thus discouraging damage.
This article originally appeared in the June 11, 1999 issue, pp. 73-74.
Issue:
IC-481(14) -- June 11, 1999
by Cindy Haynes, Department of Horticulture
