85 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy ~ Rt. 3A ~ Scituate, MA 02066 ~ 781-545-1266

 

    Vines are terrific for visually softening solid structures such as stone walls, arbors, trellises, and sides of large buildings. Some vines will climb on their own and cling to surfaces, while others twine their tendrils on structures and may need to be trained. Vines may be valued for their flowers, fruit, foliage, or bark.

Actinidia – Hardy Kiwi Vine – Valued for their edible fruit and interesting foliage. Female varieties provide fruit if a male pollinator is present. ‘Artic Beauty’ is a variety that does not fruit, but has interesting variegated green, white and pink foliage. Needs at least a half of day of sun. Medium grower.

Ampelopsis – Porcelain Berry Vine – Interesting medium to fast growing vine. Valued for its small multicolored fruits in late summer. The variety ‘Elegans’ has white and green mottled leaves w/pink stems that create a nice effect. Grows in sun or shade. Re-seeds easily and can be invasive if planted in the wrong area..

Campsis – Trumpet Vine – A mid to late summer flowering vine. Flowers range from red to orange to yellow. Fast growing. Can be pruned to form a bush or tree. Grows well in full sun or part shade. Great for attracting hummingbirds.

Clematis – There are many varieties of clematis. Most are noted for their large colorful flowers. Often slow to establish, but once established they can be spectacular. Prefers full sun, but tolerant to light shade. It like it roots to be cool. For best results shade the root system by planting another plant at the base. Also likes alkaline soil. A handful of lime once a year will keep clematis happy in New England soils. Prune late flowering varieties in half in early spring. Do not prune early flowering varieties or it will delay flowering. The fall flowering variety (Clematis paniculata) is much faster growing with small fragrant creamy white flowers in September.

Euonymus – Euonymus is not a true vine, but many varieties can be pruned to grow up a wall. When grown as an "Espaliered" plant it can cover foundations and walls. Evergreen foliage. Grows in sun and shade. Variegated varieties should not be planted in deep shade, for they may not stay variegated.

Hedera – English Ivy – Nice evergreen foliage. Does not twine by itself. It needs to be woven through a structure. I will grow up a wall and cling without help. Prefers shade. May burn in full sun. Medium growth rate.

Hydrangea anomala petiolares – Climbing Hydrangea – A terrific vine for a shady spot. Literature suggests this plants does well in sun, but for best results save it for a spot with at least part shade. Nice dark green leaves. Elegant white flowers emerge in late spring. Yellow fall foliage. This plant grows with a woody stem or trunk. It naturally grows "shrubby", but with minimal pruning it does a great job of growing flat up a wall or tree trunk with a layering effect. Cinnamon flaking bark gives this plant unique winter interest. Climbing hydrangea may require some fastening to keep it upright.

Lonicera – Honeysuckle – An easy to grow flowering vine. Honeysuckle flower from late spring through the summer. This plant comes in several varieties of colors ranging from oranges and to red’s to yellows, whites and pinks. ‘Hall’s’ is a yellow and white flowering form It is noted for it’s fragrance. The others do not have a noticeable scent. All are fast growing vines. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the bright flowers and birds are attracted to the small berries. Flowers profusely in sun, but tolerant to shady conditions as well. A very tough plant and drought tolerant.

Parthenocissus tricuspidata – Boston Ivy – Often seen growing on older brick and stone faced buildings. Noted for its fall color. A self-clinging vine. Shiny green leaves in spring and summer before turning brilliant shades of reds in fall. Leaves drop for the winter. Tolerant to sun or shade. There are a few varieties with variegated and/or colored leaves.

Polygonum – Silver Lace Vine or Fleece Vine – A fast, easy-to-grow flowering vine. Small, fragrant clusters of white flowers appear in mid to late summer. This vine will twine with minimal help. Can be pruned hard in early spring to control size. May grow 8-10’ in one growing season. Prefers full sun, but tolerant to light shade.

Climbing roses – Climbing rose bushes come in a multitude of colors. Certain varieties are fragrant and many have repeat blooms from late spring through the fall. They produce long canes that can be trained to climb with the support of walls, trellises and arbors. May need to be fastened. Climbing roses do not need major pruning every year, but benefit from thinning. Roses do best in full sun.

Wisteria – A graceful twining vine valued for its abundance of spring flowers. Wisteria flowers hang from the plant in large clusters. Flower colors range from lavenders, pinks, purples, to white. Can be extremely vigorous and needs room to grow. Not the right plant for a small space. Needs support and will twine. May take several years to flower, but always worth the wait. Excessive vegetative growth should be pruned back each summer to promote flowering. Superphosphate fertilizer will also encourage flowering. Flowers best in full sun, but tolerant to shade.

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Last modified: October 30, 2004