When it comes to adding value and aesthetics to your home, a beautifully landscaped yard should be at the top of your list. Whether you’re starting with bare soil or are making over an overgrown yard, decide what type of landscaping is best for you.
Do you need privacy? An area for entertaining or dining? Do you want a shaded area for relaxing?
Begin your outdoor design by selecting the right types of plants for your yard. These are 10 of the most attractive flowering vines and climbers that will inspire the gardener in you.
#1: Trumpet Vine
With its large tubular flowers and towering height of up to 40 feet, the trumpet vine is truly majestic. The red, orange or yellow flowers consistently bloom from early summer until early fall and are surrounded by sturdy dark green leaves. Pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds, are attracted to the flowers. Birds love the shade provided by the thick foliage.
This perennial vine spreads easily through its root system and, once established, grows vigorously with little maintenance. As it reaches maturity, the vine spills gracefully over an unsightly wall, fence, or trellis. Because of its generous size, it needs some type of support, or it quickly becomes a beautiful ground cover. The plant is hardy in zones 4 to 9 and tolerates freezing temperatures, full sun or part shade.
#2: Climbing Hydrangea
Although most commonly grown as a shrub, hydrangeas can grow as climbing vines. Their branches are self-clinging and can easily scale brick walls, homes, and trees. Even though they require lots of water and love the morning sun, they won’t thrive in wet, poorly-drained soil or in the hot afternoon sun. Climbing hydrangeas can grow in zones 4 through 9, and keep in mind the further north you are, the more afternoon sun your hydrangeas can tolerate.
Planting a climbing hydrangea for the flower show? Have patience. It can take years for the large fragrant flowers to appear. Once established, the eye-catching blooms show up in mid-spring and last through the summer. The vine can grow between 30 and 80 feet tall, enough to impress even the most experienced gardener. Flowers come in white, red, pink, blue, purple, and green and will attract a variety of pollinators to your yard.
#3: Honeysuckle
Have you ever wondered what that intoxicatingly sweet smell is when you walk by your neighbor’s yard? It’s probably the honeysuckle. Delicate tubular flowers in scarlet-orange or yellow bloom from early summer until the first frost. The vine can reach up to 14 feet but needs a support structure such as a fence, trellis, stake, or arbor. Without support, honeysuckle makes a lovely ground cover.
These plants are easy to grow in zones 3 through 8. They’re not picky about planting locations but prefer a sunny spot with well-drained soil. The fragrance and the sweet-tasting nectar of the flowers will attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. This is ideal if you are growing a vegetable garden or fruit trees nearby.
#4: Wisteria
The wisteria is the ideal plant for a larger walkway or patio that has a covered porch, an arching trellis, or sturdy pergolas. It’s a heavy woody vine that can reach up to 30 feet. This deciduous plant can also be trained to grow into a tree form.
Planted in full sun, its vigorous growth and climbing ability can transform your yard into a lush garden. It can also provide much-needed shade and act as a privacy screen. Both the American and Asian varieties are hardy in zones 5 through 8, but choose the American variety if you want to avoid having too much vegetation. Because wisteria can become invasive once established, choose your planting location wisely.
Wisteria’s fragrant flowers come to life in mid-spring in colors of white, purple, or pink. The long flower clusters hang delicately in a pinecone shape and attract birds and insects galore. It’s definitely going to turn heads no matter where you plant it.
#5: Jasmine
This warm-weather vine thrives in zones 7 through 10. If you live in a climate with temperatures that stay between 55 and 70 degrees, plant this vine in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It will thrive in sheltered areas away from strong winds.
Train the vines when they’re young to climb up trellises or fences close to your home to easily enjoy the beautiful clusters of fragrant flowers. Climbing up to 15 feet in height, the vines provide shade in hot sunny spots such as concrete patios or pathways.
The trumpetlike blooms start in the summer and will last well into the fall. A quick grower, jasmine vines need little care once established. They are resistant to disease and pests, making them perfect for the organic and pesticide-free garden. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees love the rich perfume smell.
#6: Perennial Sweet Pea
Unlike the annual sweet pea, the perennial sweet pea is a delicate yet vigorous vine in zones 4 through 8. It climbs easily on any nearby structure with its sticky tendrils but benefits from some support from stakes or trellises. Growing up to between 6 and 9 feet and spreading about 6 feet, this vine is perfect planted near an outdoor eating area or a low fence.
Perennial sweet pea loves plenty of sun and water. Still, it can also grow in areas partially shaded by structures or other vegetation. Make sure to prune in early spring and again in late winter to encourage healthy growth.
Perennial sweet pea provides color all summer long with red, white, purple, or pink flowers. Although the flowers produce peas, they are not edible, so keep them away from little hands. The flowers also attract butterflies but are ignored by deer.
#7: Silver Lace
One of the easiest vines to grow, silver lace is an exceptionally vigorous grower that seamlessly covers any fence, wall, or trellis up to 35 feet. You can plant this vine in almost soil type and in full sun or partial shade. Once this vine gets going, sit back and watch as it quickly takes over. Be careful of nearby trees and plants because the silver lace can crowd out or take over other vegetation. It’s best located in an area all its own to provide shade and privacy.
Attracting birds, lizards and bees, the vine’s delicate white flower clusters appear in late spring and again in fall. The vine is not considered a particularly thirsty plant but should have regular water during the hottest months. It grows best in zones 5 through 9 and is carefree enough for even the most novice gardener.
#8: Tangerine Beauty
If you’re looking for a stunning vine for your front entrance, the tangerine beauty will do. An exceptional self-clinging vine, it quickly grows up to 30 feet and will train itself to cover any wall or trellis. It would make a statement growing above your garage. The plant will tolerate shade and poor soils. However, you are better off planting this vine in full sun and providing it with weekly water once it gets going.
This vine is considered a semi-evergreen and will provide some color year-round. The showy tangerine flowers bloom in late spring and summer, filling your yard with a rich fragrance that attracts birds and insects. A non-fussy and easy plant to grow, the tangerine beauty thrives in zones 6 through 9.
#9: Clematis
The clematis vine comes in many assorted varieties and will grow in a wide range of zones from 3 through 9. The large flowers will bloom from mid-spring into late summer, but this will depend on your climate and the type of clematis. Flowers in pink, white, purple, or red will adorn the branches in abundance if properly pruned.
The clematis plant loves full sun, but its roots prefer to stay cool and moist. Apply a thick layer of mulch to keep it happy. The plant will grow up to 10 feet and is best situated near a low wall or fence. With the right amount of support from a trellis, mailbox, bird netting, or even fishing line, this vine will thrive. It will climb, drape, and make its presence known with some of the most beautiful flowers you’ve probably ever seen.
#10: Climbing Rose
Climbing rose vines will give your yard a formal English garden feel and add brilliant color to your landscape. Flower varieties can be small or large and come in colors such as red, peach, pink, yellow, or white, to name just a few. The fragrant flowers cover the plant from top to bottom singly or in small clusters from late spring into early fall.
The dramatic plant can be trained to grow on or around just about any sturdy structure. Depending on the variety, it will climb anywhere from 15 to 30 feet. Hardy in zones 3 through 10, climbing roses do best in full sun and well-drained soil but will tolerate some shade. Consistent water is key to a healthy plant, but be careful not to overwater because roses are susceptible to certain fungal diseases.
