Colorful Flowering Vines

By Story by Steve Bender

Whether you need them for color or form, flowering vines are flexible. 

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Flowering Vines FAQs

Photo: Alison Miksch

Before planting a flowering vine, ask yourself these questions.

IS THE SPOT SUNNY?
Most flowering vines, and all mentioned here, like sun and won’t bloom in shade.

ARE YOU AFRAID OF (OR ALLERGIC TO) BEES?
If so, don’t plant a flowering vine over or on a doorway, arbor, mailbox, gazebo, or any other spot you’ll be near.

IS YOUR HOUSE MADE OF MASONRY OR WOOD?
Vines growing against wood siding can contribute to rot.

DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE LOOK EVERY YEAR?
Then plant an annual vine like morning glory, moonflower, or hyacinth bean. All grow quickly from seed.

‘Dortmund’ climbing rose adds a romantic air to this entry.

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‘Dortmund’ Climbing Rose

Photo: Alison Miksch

‘Dortmund’ climbing rose (Rosa ‘Dortmund’) features abundant, single red blooms with striking white centers and yellow stamens. This vigorous plant reaches 15 to 30 feet if not pruned. Wear gloves when you do—its sturdy thorns are legendary. Deciduous. Grows throughout the South.

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Confederate Jasmine

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When Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is blooming in late spring and early summer, a profusion of white, starlike flowers on its evergreen foliage perfumes the entire garden. Train it above doorways and windows and against walls. It’s not hardy in the Upper South.

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Carolina Jessamine

Photo: Ralph Lee Anderson

Adorned with fragrant, bell-shaped blossoms in early spring, Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is great for training on structures—its thin, pliable stems don’t damage them. It grows and covers very quickly and is good for screening. Deer don’t like it. Evergreen. Not hardy in Upper South.

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Hybrid Mandevillas

Photo: Ralph Lee Anderson

Hybrid mandevillas (Mandevilla sp.) feature glossy evergreen foliage and large, spectacular red, pink, or white flowers that appear nonstop in warm weather. The new Sun Parasol series has both vining and bush-type plants, so check the label. Fast growers. They’re not hardy to frost.

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Morning Glories

Photo: Courtesy Annie's Annuals and Perennials

A packet of seeds is all you need to blanket a bower with blue, purple, red, pink, or white morning glories (Ipomoea tricolor). Plant in spring. Each flower lasts for only one day, but new ones open up every morning all summer and fall. This annual vine grows throughout the South.

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Crossvine

Photo: Ralph Lee Anderson

Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) is a rugged, adaptable, carefree Southern native. Trumpet-shaped blooms of orange or red decorate evergreen leaves in midspring. Climbs any surface. ‘Tangerine Beauty’ (shown) flaunts abundant orange blooms with yellow throats. Grows throughout the South.

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