Vines and Other Climbing Plants

Vines are an obvious choice for growing on fences, garden arbors, and trellises. Vines can be attractive for both their foliage and their flowers. Wisteria and Trumpet Creeper are popular vines that have beautiful flowers and fill out with lush, green leaves. Vines are also a perfect pick if you want to cover unattractive features in your landscaping, such as utility boxes or old garden sheds.

Note that vines have different ways of growing on vertical surfaces. Some vines, such as grapes, have small, tender structures that wind their way around trellises, garden arbors, fences etc. Ivy has tiny root-like structures that attach to a range of surfaces. Other vines have structures that are like small suckers that clamp on to vertical surfaces.

You can choose either perennial or annual vines for your landscaping. Annuals such as nasturtium, morning glories, and sweet peas will grow quickly in a single growing season and then die off. This is a good option if you want quick growth and you don’t want a leafless set of branches in your landscaping during the winter.

Popular perennial vines include ivy, clematis, bougainvillea, climbing roses, jasmine, and honeysuckle. Perennial vines will twine, grasp, or lean, depending on the species you pick. Perennial vines can also be evergreen or deciduous. Deciduous vines will loose their leaves in the winter and can often create interest with their twisting, sculptural shapes. Wisteria is a good example. Evergreen vines, such as English ivy, will help keep your landscape green all year round.

Below, you’ll find a list of some recommended vines that you can grow on vertical structures. Most of these plants will look great when growing on an attractive vinyl garden arbor.

Kind of Plant	Popular Name	Uses	Other Features
Annual Vines	Nasturtium	Can grow as a bush or vine.	Edible leaves and flowers. Multi-colored flowers.
	Morning Glory	Arbors, trellises, etc. Can also be used as a groundcover.	Blooms in the early morning.
	Sweet Peas	Trellises and arbors.	Smaller vine. Fragrant blossom.
	Black Eyed Susan (Vine)	Containers and planter boxes.	Non-invasive. Grows to about 12 feet tall.
	Moonflower	Most garden structures.	Night bloomer. Grows fast.
	Cardinal Climber	Most garden structures.	Attracts hummingbirds.
Perennial Vines	English Ivy	Walls and fences.	Semi-evergreen. Likes the shade.
	Boston Ivy	Walls and fences.	Grows equally well in sun and shade. Can work as a groundcover.
	Clematis	Most garden structures.	Likes sun to partial shade.
	Bougainvillea	Fences, arbors, walls, etc.	Won’t grow in colder climates.
	Jasmine	Fences, arbors, walls, etc.	Beautiful flowers with strong scent.
	Honeysuckle	Fences, walls, and most garden structures.	Attracts hummingbirds.
	Wisteria	Trellises and garden arbors. Can also grow as a stand alone plant.	Likes full sun. Grape-like clusters of lavender flowers.
	Trumpet Creeper	Fences and most gardening structures. Good hummingbird plant.	Can become invasive in some areas.
	Climbing Hydrangea	Trees and most garden structures.	White flowers.Grows slowly.
	Virginia Creeper	Trees, walls, fences, and most garden structures.	Grows well in both sun and shade. Nice fall color on the leaves.

Check out the University of Connecticut Plant Database for tons of info on vines and other plants for the garden. Remember to ask the staff of your local nursery or your local extension agent for more information on vines appropriate for vertical gardening.