Vines --  Glorious Vines – for the Home Landscape

Mention the word vine in the South and most people think kudzu or honeysuckle.  However, all vines are not wicked like these two.  Vines can provide shade, cover and color in Alabama landscapes. 

Vines can be used to enhance landscapes in several ways according to Dr. Dave Williams, a horticulturist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.  “Vines can cascade over walls, mailboxes, fences, terraces, trellises, arbors, rock piles, tree stumps or the ground.”

When selecting vines for the home landscape, there are a number of factors to consider, such as intended use, location in the landscape, plant hardiness, soil adaptability, type of support needed, color of blooms or foliage and maintenance requirements.  Some fast-growing vines require a lot of routine pruning to prevent profuse growth than can cover trees and shrubs, reducing light and aeration. Other vines can disperse seeds after flowering and may pop up in areas where they are not wanted.

Popular annual vines such as moonvine, sweet pea, purple hyacinth bean and morning glory, are grown from seed each year.  Perennial vine favorites include trumpet creeper, clematis, wisteria and carolina jessamine.

Moonvine has a wonderful fragrance with an evening bloom.

Clematis is a thin vine that produces beautiful flowers and has a long-blooming season. Many different species of clematis are available -- some are large-flowering types and others are small-flowering types.  Clematis may be planted in the spring or fall.  Roots should be shaded and kept cool, while the top should be in sun for at least six hours a day.

Climbing hydrangea is a woody vine that climbs using root-like holdfasts.  In the landscape, this vine can be used as ground cover for large areas or to cover walls and other structures.  Like clematis, this plant is poisonous, so do not use it where children or pets are likely to eat it.  Flowers are white and fragrant and produce an excellent display in early summer. It prefers moist soil but is drought tolerant once established.  To keep this vine within bounds, it will need to be regularly pruned. 

Creeping fig, another woody, evergreen vine, will cement itself to a structure with disk-like feet.  It can be slow starting but is fast growing once it is established.  Creeping fig is used in the landscape as a low ground cover, in elevated planters or along supports in columns or arches. It is generally not hardy in North Alabama.

Climbing roses are also popular.  If given support, they will grow fast and offer fragrance and color to the landscape.  Some popular varieties include Lady Banks rose, which grows well on a trellis, and Scotch rose, which is outstanding ground cover for slopes.  Roses grow best in rich, well-drained soil. 

For more information on growing vines in Alabama, contact your county Extension office and ask for the publication “Vines for Alabama Landscapes,” ANR-1198.  The publication includes descriptive lists of both perennial and annual vines, planting, propagation and fertilization recommendations, types of vine supports and pruning instructions.

Source:  Dr. Dave Williams, Horticulturist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334)844-3032.