Flowering Vines

Flowering Vines Honeysuckle Mexican Flame Vine Passion Flower Perennial Pea Trumpet Vine Flower Power

While many gardeners adopt a ground based space planning strategy for choosing flowers, flowering vines offer gardeners the added dimension of vertical space planning.

Whether the vertical space be a trellis, wall or fence, there's a flowering vine waiting to grow on it. The trick is finding a species that is both suitable to your garden zone and your gardening temperament.

There are literally hundreds of native and non-native flowering vines grown around the United States. They can be evergreen or deciduous, with flower colors more diverse than a rainbow.

From colonial times, each generation of Americans has adopted new flowering vine favorites and reaffirmed the choices of older generations.

Consider, for example, how the 1918 version of House and Garden discussed three different vines.

• Silver vine (Actinidia polygama): Very rapid growing with dense foliage; good for arbors, trellises, etc. Edible fruits after flowering.
• Clemantis (Clemantis Paniculata): Extremely hardy and robust; most satisfactory late flowering vine. Especially good for porches. Flowers followed by feathery silver seed pods.
• Wisteria: Of twining, not clinging habit, especially good for pergolas, etc. Attains great height with suitable support. Sunny position; rich soil.

Each of the vines are still popular today, and their descriptions highlight the plant's special functions and features.

More varieties are available today, however the parameters for making a choice remain the same.

The list on the right points to a handful of popular native and non-native flowering vines. A local agricultural extension service or plant nursery can provide more detailed information regarding the range of flowering vines suited to any specific area.

© 2009. Patricia A. Michaels