Nature's Drapery: 9 Vines to Cloak Your Garden in Lushness
by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener
As a seasoned gardener, I've had the pleasure, and sometimes the challenge, of cultivating various climbing plants. Vines add a vertical dimension to your garden, create privacy screens, and drape over arbors and fences with a romantic flair. With so many options, let me guide you through some top-performing vines that thrive in our unique climate.
Chocolate Vine, Akebia, is a unique and captivating vine that deserves a spot in your garden. Its delicate, chocolate-scented blossoms dangle like pendants in early spring, adding a whimsy and fragrance to your landscape. The five-leaflet foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, providing a lush backdrop for other plants. Whether you choose the classic purple-flowered variety or the elegant white-flowered 'Alba,' Akebia will bring a touch of charm and beauty to your garden for years to come.
Clematis is the undisputed royalty of flowering vines, gracing your garden with an unparalleled symphony of color and charm. These versatile climbers effortlessly weave through trellises, arbors, and fences, transforming ordinary structures into enchanting focal points. With an astonishing array of bloom sizes, shapes, and colors, clematis offers endless possibilities for personalization, whether you crave delicate pastel hues, vibrant jewel tones, or dramatic bi-colored blossoms.
English Ivy, Hedera helix, isn't just a plant; it's a living tapestry for your landscape. Its evergreen leaves provide a lush, year-round backdrop, effortlessly draping over walls, fences, or arbors with a timeless elegance. English ivy offers beauty but also serves as a natural insulator, helping regulate temperatures within your home. It is remarkably low-maintenance, thriving in various conditions and requiring minimal care once established. Its dense foliage also acts as a natural sound barrier and provides shelter for beneficial wildlife.
Hardy Kiwi, Actinidia arguta, If you're looking for a vine that is as unique as it is beautiful, look no further. This enchanting climber boasts heart-shaped leaves that emerge purple, mature to a stunning pink and white variegation, and culminate in an explosion of fall foliage color. It's a showstopper every season, adding a touch of magic to your garden with its whimsical foliage transformations. But the magic doesn't stop there! This hardy vine also produces small, fragrant flowers and delicious kiwi berries – a sweet treat for you and your local wildlife.
Honeysuckle, Lonicera, indulges the senses and invites nature's sweetest perfume into your garden. Its delicate, tubular flowers exude an intoxicating fragrance that lures hummingbirds and butterflies, creating a vibrant and enchanting scene. Not only will you bask in the beauty of its colorful blooms, but you'll also enjoy the delightful aroma that wafts through the air, transforming your outdoor space into a tranquil oasis. With its vigorous growth and adaptability, honeysuckle effortlessly drapes over fences, arbors, or trellises, adding vertical interest and privacy.
Tangerine Beauty Crossvine, Bignonia capreolata, Imagine your garden ablaze with fiery tangerine blooms, attracting a symphony of hummingbirds and butterflies. That is the magic of Tangerine Beauty Crossvine. This vigorous climber effortlessly covers walls and fences with its vibrant display. Unlike some finicky vines, it thrives in hot Arizona sun. It even tolerates some shade, rewarding you with low-maintenance beauty year after year. Its cascading clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers add a dramatic pop of color and release a subtle, sweet fragrance, creating an inviting atmosphere for both you and pollinators.
Trumpet Vine, Campsis radicans, prepare to be captivated by flamboyant charm. This vigorous climber boasts a spectacular display of vibrant trumpet-shaped blooms in fiery shades of orange, red, or yellow, igniting your garden with a burst of summer color. But it's not just a feast for the eyes but a haven for hummingbirds and butterflies. With its drought tolerance and adaptability to various soil conditions, this resilient vine thrives in our climate, requiring minimal maintenance. Let the Trumpet Vine transform your garden into a vibrant, buzzing oasis where nature's beauty takes center stage.
Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a super low-maintenance climber that grows fast, adding a vibrant splash of color to your garden come autumn. Its fiery red foliage transforms any wall or fence into a breathtaking focal point, rivaling the beauty of fall foliage trees. A true Arizona native, it is also the easiest of all vines to grow, making it a perfect choice for novice and experienced gardeners alike.
Planting and Care Tips
When planting vines, ensure they have a sturdy support structure to climb on. Water them regularly during the first year to help them establish. Most vines in our zone benefit from a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Remember, some vines can be aggressive growers, so choose wisely and monitor their growth to prevent them from overtaking other plants. These top-performing vines will add beauty and interest for years with proper care and attention.
Free Garden Classes Each Saturday in September
September 7th @ 9:30 am Vines and Ground Covers Grown Easy
September 14th @ 9:30 am Tough 8 and How to Grow Them
September 21st @ 9:30 am Privacy Plants for Secret Gardens
Until next week, I'll be helping gardeners design vines at Watters Garden Center.
