Vines are the answer to almost any garden problem. Looking to screen an undesirable view or fill space with flowers in a hurry? Try flowering vines. They look great trained on a fence, arbor or trellis. An added bonus? Fragrant flowers that instantly enhance a backyard.
There are many great flowering vines to try out in your garden. Read on to learn about jasmine, mandevilla, clematis, honeysuckle and more.
Star Jasmine
Star jasmine blooms from spring through summer. The vine can reach 20 feet and responds well to pruning. It's called star jasmine due to the shape of the small white flowers.
- Star jasmine flowers thrive best in full sun. They will grow in partial shade, too.
- They need well-drained soil rich with organic matter.
- It should be watered once a week, more if it's dry or hot. Water your star jasmine when the top inch of soil is dry. Allow the soil to dry out in between watering.
- Star jasmine is best planted in the spring. It will grow quickly, often adding between 3 and 6 feet a year.
- Add mulch when planting but don’t let it touch the stems.
- Gently weave stems through the supports of a fence, arbor or trellis. If needed, tie stems to the support with plant ties.
- After flowering, pinch the tips of the stems. This promotes more branches and flowers.
- Star jasmine is a fairly carefree plant. It only requires pruning to control its growth or if it's diseased.
Mandevilla
Mandevilla, also called rocktrumpet, blooms in early summer. It can bloom again in early autumn. The big, bold flowers bring excitement to any garden with pink, red and white shades. The foliage is less lush than other vining plants. This makes it a good choice for mailboxes or lampposts.
- Try Rio Dipladenia Mandevilla for a heat hardy choice.
- Mandevilla should be planted in mid-to-late spring. The temperature needs to be reliably warm. It will bloom best when the risk of frost has passed. Mandevilla is not hardy below temperatures of 45 to 50 degrees.
- Mandevilla likes full sun for the best blooms. In the hottest part of summer, it might like partial shade.
- It needs well-drained, sandy soil. It should be rich with organic matter.
- They prefer a consistent level of moisture. Aim to keep the soil damp but never soggy.
- Add mulch but don’t let it touch the stems.
- Mandevilla has woody stems, which can break. Carefully tie them to the support with plant ties.
- After planting, pinch the tips of the stems. Prune at least once a year.
Tip: Flowering vines can grow in containers or hanging baskets. They can also be over-wintered indoors.
Clematis
Clematis has big, richly-colored flowers. As a fast-growing vine, it can be trained to grow up various structures. From fences to lampposts, it adds aesthetic value to a garden. Medium-sized, the flowers reach 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Its seedheads are showy, puffy and spherical. Long after blooms pass, it still keeps interest.
- Plant your clematis in late spring, late summer or early fall.
- Filtered sunlight is its preferred home in the South. Too much sun can cook off the blooms. In the north, full sun is fine but keep the roots shaded if possible. Mulch works as a protectant.
- For full blooms, you want well-drained loam. Enrich it with compost.
- Even after freezing winters, clematis comes back every spring and summer.
- It performs best when the soil is kept evenly moist. Do not overwater. Water only when the soil is dry.
- Prune it every other year after the first bloom.
Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet potato vines are a timeless spiller plant. They're perfect for the container gardener. Sweet potato vines are cultivars of the same species as sweet potatoes. Unfortunately, they are not as tasty and extremely bitter. It's a fast-growing, tender perennial that's best planted in the spring. It thrives in temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. There are a few varieties and colors available.
- Sweet potato vines love the sun. If you need to, they grow in partial shade (and sometimes full shade). More sun equals more vibrant leaves.
- Use moist, well-drained soil. Enhance it with organic matter.
- If soil is too wet, it's prone to root rot. The container you use needs ample drainage holes. Sweet potato vines are fairly drought-tolerant. Leaves will wilt when the plant is thirsty.
- This vining plant likes sun more so than high heat. If you live in a hot climate, they'll benefit from shade.
- The more the vine is pruned, the more it will try to regrow.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle smells as sweet as it sounds. There are 180 species of honeysuckle, many of which are climbers with twining stems. Make sure to do your research before planting. Some varieties are invasive and prohibited in certain areas. Honeysuckle flowers are easy for bees and hummingbirds to enjoy. When the blooms fade, you also get some juicy berries to enjoy. Blooms can be yellow, red pink, purple or white.
- Honeysuckle prefers dappled sunlight. It will grow in full sun to part shade though.
- Its native habitat includes scrub and woods. Create a similiar environment if possible.
- Shade the roots and the plant will climb towards the sun.
- Honeysuckle enjoys fertile, rich and well-drained soil.
- They thrive in consistent watering. Soil should be evenly moist until the plant shows vigorous growth. Once it's grown, it's fairly drough-tolerant.
- Add mulch around the plant base to prevent water from evaporating.
Pipe Vine
Pipe vine is a woody vine that's a vigorous grower. It can reach 20 or 30 feet in height when it's mature. Plant it in early spring for the plant to bloom in early summer. The foliage is vibrant green, heart-shaped and huge. Pipe vine is great for casting shade to keep outdoor areas cooler. It aids in privacy with its dense leaves and can hide any backyard eyesores.
- Plant pipe vine in full sun for full growth and flowering. It can live in partial to full shade in a warm climate, but blooms will be smaller.
- Pipe vines prefer soil with good drainage. Foliage will be more vibrant with soil that's also rich and moist. pH is not important as it can thrive in neutral and acidic mixes.
- Keep the ground evenly moist during growing season. Aim your hose at the base of the plant to avoid fungal issues.
- Moderate temperatures are best, it's not frost-hardy. If temperatures drop, add a layer of mulch for protection.
- Fertilize yearly in the spring. Work compost into the soil when the vines need a boost.
- Prune regularly to keep it looking sharp.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea works as a houseplant, but works best on a building's exterior. It's a sprawling climber with lots of thorns. Plant in the spring for the best results. It can grow more than 36 inches per year. Foliage is vibrant green with pink, purple and orange hues. The actual blooms are small white buds. To grow outdoors, climate needs to be warm.
- Bougainvillea loves sunlight and need full daily exposure. More light equals brighter hues.
- Plant in moist, but well-drained potting mix. The mix should be slightly acidic, with a ph between 5.5 and 6.0.
- Top your mix with compost to get a rich, nutritious soil. Choose a pot with at least one drainage hole to prevent root rot.
- Keep the plant evenly moist, but keep it dry in the winter.
- Water bougainvillea to saturation, then let it dry out one inch before watering again.
- To keep it manageable in a container, repot it and root prune it in the spring.
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