23 In Flowers/ Gardening/ Popular

Favorite Flowering Vines for Your Garden

When I walk into a garden nursery, I always gravitate right to the section filled with vining plants. They add color, height or length to containers and, most importantly, can give you privacy in your yard. They are also great for hiding those ugly but necessary structures we all have around our home. Here is a list of some beautiful vines guaranteed to wow!

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a gorgeous woody vine/shrub that grows as a perennial in most tropical climates. It's an annual in my zone, but it's worth the extra effort each year! This vine does not naturally cling, so you need to use some sort of support and add a few attachments.

Bougainvillea spectabilis

Bougainvillea is a gorgeous woody vine/shrub that grows as a perennial in most tropical climates. It's an annual in my zone, but it's worth the extra effort each year! This vine does not naturally cling, so you need to use some sort of support and add a few attachments. This vine loves the sun and appreciates very warm temperatures. You can find bougainvillea in white, red, pink and purple. They thrive best in rich soils that drain well. You can use these vines to decorate walls, gates, hedges and fences. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full sun
Height - Climbs up to 15 feet
Zones - 9-11
Bloom Time - Year round
Features - Fast growing, waterwise, bird friendly

Cardinal Climber

The cardinal climber vine is a vibrant, plant featuring tubular red flowers with a white throat. It is a favorite of hummingbirds and is another sun lover. It is actually a cross between the cypress vine and the red morning glory.

Ipomoea sloteri

The cardinal climber vine is a vibrant plant featuring tubular red flowers with a white throat. It is a favorite of hummingbirds and is another sun lover. It is actually a cross between the cypress vine and the red morning glory. The delicate leaves of this flower make for a lovely addition to any trellis, arbor, tuteur or obelisk. I love how this vine looks almost lacy! This plant isn't picky, and will grow in just about any type of soil. If you are looking for a vine that needs almost no maintenance, this is perfect for you.

Fast Facts
Light - Full sun to partial shade

Height - Climbs up to 12 feet
Zones - Annual in most zones
Bloom Time - Mid-summer to fall
Features - Hummingbird magnet, low maintenance, deer resistant

Clematis

Clematis is one of my favorite flowering vines. It is also sadly a favorite meal of every critter in my yard. Almost any time I've grown clematis, something has snuck in my yard and eaten the roots. Even though I should give up at this point, I don't! Now, I've switched to growing clematis in containers. I've had much better luck! There are a variety of different types of clematis vines you can grow in your yard. They prefer a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil. Looks lovely trailing on fences, lamp posts and standing mailboxes.

Clematis 'Ernest Markham'

Clematis is one of my favorite flowering vines. It is also, sadly, a favorite meal of every critter in my yard. Almost any time I've grown clematis, something has snuck into my yard and eaten the roots. Even though I should give up at this point, I don't! Now, I've switched to growing clematis in containers. I've had much better luck! There are a variety of different types of clematis vines you can grow in your yard. They prefer a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil. Looks lovely trailing on fences, lamp posts and standing mailboxes. I also mention a particular fall blooming variety below! Regular clematis is sold in many different varieties. The fast facts below are based on 'Ernest Markham' clematis.

Fast Facts
Light - Sun to part shade

Height - Climbs up to 16 feet
Zones - 4-8
Bloom Time - Early summer to fall
Features - Attracts pollinators, vigorously growing, showy blooms

Favorite Varieties: Jackmanii, Gypsy Queen, Red Cardinal

Climbing Roses

Climbing roses really know how to put on a show. I can't help but fall in love with their charming, rustic cottage garden look. Most types of climbing roses prefer full sun, and loamy soil. They also prefer a consistent drink of water and good drainage. They come in all different colors and sizes, so options are endless.

Rosa 'New Dawn'

Climbing roses really know how to put on a show. I can't help but fall in love with their charming, rustic cottage garden look. Most types of climbing roses prefer full sun, and loamy soil. They also prefer a consistent drink of water and good drainage. They come in all different colors and sizes, so options are endless. You can train them to grow well up fences, trellises, arbors and even the side of your home! They grow best with some fertilizer and plenty of mulch. The fast facts below are for the 'New Dawn' climbing rose. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full Sun

Height - Climbs up to 20 feet
Zones - 5-9
Bloom Time - Early summer to mid fall
Features - Prolific bloomer, perfect for bouquets, can tolerate some shade

Favorite Varieties: New Dawn, Don Juan, William Baffin 

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle was my introduction to the vine world. I told my boyfriend I wanted to attract hummingbirds into my yard, and he bought me some honeysuckle. I was enchanted with the name, but had no idea what to expect. I was delighted when a bunch of bright, unique blooms started to appear. Then, the hummingbirds came in droves. I noticed multiple visits daily. The second variety I purchased, I planted closer to my window so I could see these small creatures flit back and forth.

LONICERA x brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet'

Honeysuckle was my introduction to the vine world. I told my boyfriend I wanted to attract hummingbirds into my yard, and he bought me some honeysuckle. I was enchanted with the name, but had no idea what to expect. I was delighted when a bunch of bright, unique blooms started to appear. Then, the hummingbirds came in droves. I noticed multiple visits daily. The second variety I purchased, I planted closer to my window so I could see these small creatures flit back and forth.

They are a perennial in Massachusetts, so I get to enjoy them year after year. They grow quickly, and love the heat. They are indestructible, and are truly built to last. The vines are very hardy and look lovely on a fence, trellis, or arbor. They can even be grown as ground cover and for soil erosion! I'm growing some in a container, and it has done very well over the last three years. They produce fruit in the fall, perfect for the birds. Below are fast facts for the Dropmore Scarlet variety. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full Sun

Height - Climbs up to 12 feet
Zones - 4-10
Bloom Time - Late spring through mid-summer
Features - Fragrant, fast growing, attracts pollinators

Favorite Varieties: Dropmore Scarlet, Trumpet, Goldflame

Morning Glory

Do you enjoy your early morning out in the garden? Morning glory flowers are for you! They have heart-shaped leaves decorating slender stems with trumpet-shaped flowers. You can get them in a large variety of different colors. They can self seed easily in warmer climates, but are sadly just annuals in my zone. They are vigorous growers and don't need fancy soil. They actually prefer plain old soil! You will notice your flowers blooming as the sun comes up and the flowers fading  as the sun goes back down. They are at peak bloom for me around 7 or 8 in the morning. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and look lovely covering a fence. There is also a evening blooming variety known as the moon flower.

Ipomoea purpurea

Do you enjoy your early morning out in the garden? Morning glory flowers are for you! They have heart-shaped leaves decorating slender stems with trumpet-shaped flowers. You can get them in a large variety of different colors. They can self seed easily in warmer climates but are sadly just annuals in my zone. They are vigorous growers and don't need fancy soil. They actually prefer plain old soil! You will notice your flowers blooming as the sun comes up and the flowers fading  as the sun goes back down. They are at peak bloom for me around 7 or 8 in the morning. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and look lovely covering a fence. There is also a evening blooming variety known as the moon flower. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full Sun

Height - Climbs up to 15 feet
Zones - Annual in most zones
Bloom Time - Summer through fall
Features - Very easy to maintain, attracts pollinators, fast growing

Favorite Varieties: Heavenly Blue, Grandpa Ott, Scarlet O'hara

Sweet Pea

I grow sweet peas for their extraordinary perfume fragrance. They make the garden smell so sweet and instantly put me in a good mood. I love how charming this cottage garden favorite is. You can grow a multitude of colors and mixes. The blooms are frilly and romantic. They look lovely climbing any trellis, fences and arbors. They need around 50 days of temperatures under 60 degrees to bloom well. They are annuals in most zones. I find them carefree and easy to maintain once they take off.

Lathyrus odoratus

I grow sweet peas for their extraordinary perfume fragrance. They make the garden smell so sweet and instantly put me in a good mood. I love how charming this cottage garden favorite is. You can grow a multitude of colors and mixes. The blooms are frilly and romantic. They look lovely climbing any trellis, fences and arbors. They need around 50 days of temperatures under 60 degrees to bloom well. They are annuals in most zones. I find them carefree and easy to maintain once they take off. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full Sun

Height - Climbs up to 8 feet
Zones - Annual in most zones
Bloom Time - Summer through fall
Features - Attract bees, honey-like fragrance, enjoys cool weather

Favorite Varieties: Erewhon, Painted Lady, Butterfly Old Spice

Sweet Autumn Clematis

I know I mentioned clematis earlier, but I put Sweet Autumn Clematis in a category of it's own. It's a vine that is that special to me. When I was super frustrated and down that I couldn't grow regular clematis, this grew like crazy! Unlike most clematis varieties, it grows it's foliage all season and then blooms prolifically in fall. When they say sweet, they mean sweet! The smell perfumes the air and can be noticed a good distance away. I never want to go another year of my life without Sweet Autumn Clematis. It looks lovely growing on fences, arbors and trellises. Make sure you plant it somewhere that you can fully enjoy it's fragrance.

Clematis terniflora

I know I mentioned clematis earlier, but I put Sweet Autumn Clematis in a category of it's own. It's a vine that is that special to me. When I was super frustrated and down that I couldn't grow regular clematis, this grew like crazy! Unlike most clematis varieties, it grows it's foliage all season and then blooms prolifically in fall. When they say sweet, they mean sweet! The smell perfumes the air and can be noticed a good distance away. I never want to go another year of my life without Sweet Autumn Clematis. It looks lovely growing on fences, arbors and trellises. Make sure you plant it somewhere that you can fully enjoy it's fragrance. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full Sun to part shade

Height - Climbs up to 20 feet
Zones - 4-9
Bloom Time - Fall
Features - Fragrant, fast growing, attracts butterflies

More Great Vines
• Climbing Hydrangea
• Jasmine

• Mandevilla
• Wisteria 
• Black-Eyed Susan Vine
• Passionflower
• Purple Hyacinth Bean
• Virginia Creeper
• Corkscrew Vine
• Blue Sky Vine

What are some of your favorite varieties of vines? Are you growing some new types in your garden this year? Tell me all about it in the comment section below. I'm always looking for more to add to my yard, so I appreciate suggestions! We will be back on May 23, with some fun garden DIY and how-to projects for you. See you then!

Tuesdays In The Garden | Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, we will be sharing a themed Tuesday In The Garden post! We will be covering seasonal crops, herb gardening, growing flowers, DIY projects, garden gifts, harvesting tips, preserving, garden to table recipes and so much more. You can check out each of our posts to help you get inspired and give you some creative new ideas. Take a look at these great posts below!

Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, we will be sharing a themed Tuesday In The Garden post! We will be covering seasonal crops, herb gardening, growing flowers, DIY projects, garden gifts, harvesting tips, preserving, garden to table recipes and so much more. You can check out each of our posts to help you get inspired and give you some creative new ideas. Take a look at these great posts below!

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23 Comments

  • Reply
    Lili Simmelink
    May 14, 2017 at 5:11 am

    This is a great selection of vines!! Wished I had a big garden to plant them all!!
    Lili x

  • Reply
    Jobie Medina
    May 11, 2017 at 7:31 pm

    Vines are my favorite. So vibrant, they smell great and they get huge. Beautiful!

  • Reply
    Delphine
    May 11, 2017 at 6:59 pm

    I love your posts, I just wish I was a better gardener!

  • Reply
    Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread
    May 11, 2017 at 7:14 am

    Nice summary of climbing vines for shoppers. 🙂

  • Reply
    Sheila Price
    May 10, 2017 at 11:49 am

    I needed some flowering vine ideas for my backyard. I have a trellis, inherited from the previous owners, and we need something that will grow over the top of it.

  • Reply
    Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade
    May 10, 2017 at 9:01 am

    I love Bougainvillea! It is such a beautiful flower, and I usually buy 2 big pots for my backyard. Morning glory is gorgeous as well. I’ve been REALLY bad this year about planting flowers, and I really need to get my act together because my flower bed looks REALLY sad right now

  • Reply
    Mini
    May 10, 2017 at 12:04 am

    I have bougainville in my house. I have them in two colors – Pink and Yellow. And really they look beautiful and enhance the beauty of my gardrn. Other glowers mentioned here look great. If possible, I’ll try to grow some of these.

  • Reply
    Pam Avoledo
    May 9, 2017 at 8:03 pm

    The New Dawn roses are beautiful! What time and patience to grow them!

  • Reply
    Shelly
    May 9, 2017 at 2:38 pm

    Oh, I would love to grow honeysuckle I know our hummingbirds would love them. I’m not sure I could get it to grow well since most of my garden is shaded. All of my sunny areas are used for growing fruits and vegetables. All of these vines are so pretty though.

  • Reply
    Jami
    May 9, 2017 at 2:09 pm

    I’ve never even thought to grow bougainvillea as an annual – what a great idea, now I don’t just have to lust over it. 🙂 I love, love heavenly blue morning glory vine – it’s so beautiful. I wish morning glory had a better reputation – most people in the PNW equate it with the invasive white bindweed because they are related and lump them all into ‘nasty morning glory’ so not many grow the nice vines here. 🙁

  • Reply
    Heather F
    May 9, 2017 at 12:18 pm

    I love the Honey Suckle Vines, and have had one planted in each yard I’ve had for about 15 years now (3 yards) 🙂

  • Reply
    Nicole Kroutil
    May 9, 2017 at 11:50 am

    So glad I came across this post ! We are on a corner lot so we get lots of foot traffic and car traffic by our street and our yard is a blank canvas with low fencing so we wanted something like a vine to grow through the fence to create more of a block in view. The only problem is I’m not the best at gardening so I didn’t know what to look for in terms of vines but now I have so many ideas ! Thank you ! 🙂

  • Reply
    jean
    May 9, 2017 at 11:21 am

    Love the climbing roses!

  • Reply
    Diane Williams
    May 9, 2017 at 9:57 am

    Dave just started our clematis out on the garden fence. That vine has endured three major moves now as we keep changing our minds about where we want to showcase it. It’s a lovely focal point to anywhere we put it. I love fragrant vines like honeysuckle too. You can smell them from clear across the yard! So many great choices highlighted here . I will look for the Terniflora clematis. I love the idea of a fall blooming vine!

  • Reply
    Amy
    May 9, 2017 at 9:19 am

    I love vining plants as well. It’s harder for me to find suitable candidates because I garden in a lot of shade. I am growing a few varieties of Clematis in my sunny spots (‘Ville de Lyon,’ C. integrifolia, C. jackmanii, and C. ‘Apple Blossom,’ which is a group 1 clematis and has evergreen foliage). I have to avoid C. terniflora, as it is invasive in Zone 7 where I live.

    I also like Akebia quinata (chocolate vine); Wisteria frutescens, the N. American wisteria which is not invasive like its Chinese counterpart; and I’m hoping to try Schizophragma ‘Moonlight,’ once I get a few other projects finished.

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