HOME & GARDEN
INFORMATION
HGIC 1101
1-888-656-9988
http://hgic.clemson.edu
Vines
Vines serve many landscaping purposes. Vines are
excellent for providing a fast screen. They will give
height to a landscape while needing little ground
space and are therefore useful in small gardens.
Vines grown on an arbor can give shade much
sooner than most trees can. On steep banks where a
lawn will not grow, vines may be used as
groundcovers. Vines are not only useful; they are
beautiful, with bright flowers, luxuriant foliage,
fragrance and interesting stem patterns.
SELECTING A VINE
Selecting a suitable vine depends on its intended
use, location, soil adaptability and type of support.
Select vines with dense foliage and rapid growth for
screening. Plant vines with fragrant flowers near
windows or near porches and patios.
Vigorous, tall growing vines such as grapes or
wisteria are ideal for growing on a large arbor to
give shade, while a vine for decorating a mailbox
support should be much smaller in ultimate size.
Deciduous vines will shade in summer and let light
through in winter when they are bare. Annual vines
allow experimenting with vine designs.
TYPES OF VINES
Vines climb by tendrils, by twining or by clinging.
These three types of climbing
methods will determine the kind of
support needed. Tendrils are slim,
flexible, leafless stems that wrap
themselves around anything they
contact. Grapes are the best
known vines that climb by tendrils.
CENTER
Vines that use tendrils to climb will need supports
such as wire or thin wood stakes.
Twining vines wind their stems around any
available support. Honeysuckle and
wisteria use this method of climbing.
Twining and tendril-type vines climb best
on wires, trellises and arbors. They can be
grown on flat surfaces only if proper
supports are also provided. Vine supports
should be constructed with sturdy, durable
materials.
Clinging vines, like Boston ivy, climb by attaching
small rootlike holdfasts to
walls, trees or other rough-
textured surfaces as a means of
support. Clinging vines can be
used on either brick or masonry
walls. They should never be
used on the walls of frame
buildings. Their method of
climbing has a tendency to
damage wood.
GROWING VINES
Most vines grow well in moist but well-drained soil,
but there are vines for almost every soil and light
condition.
Vines will need pruning to limit growth, to thin the
stems and branches and to remove dead or damaged
wood. Vines that grow rapidly may need to be
pruned at frequent intervals. Vines may develop
sparse foliage low on the trellis and develop a mass
of foliage at the top. To prevent this, pinch back the
ends of the stems as they develop.

COMMON NAME
BOTANICAL NAME
Coral Vine
(Antigonon leptopus)
Trumpet Creeper
(Campsis radicans)
Large Flowered Clematis
(Clematis hybrida)
Autumn Clematis
(Clematis terniflora)
Climbing Hydrangea
(Hydrangea anomala
subspecies petiolaris)
Goldflame Honeysuckle
(Lonicera x heckrotti)
Virginia Creeper
(Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Boston Ivy
(Parthenocissus tricuspidata)
Passionflower or Maypop
(Passiflora incarnata)
Japanese Hydrangea Vine
(Schizophragma
hydrangeoides)
Japanese Wisteria
(Wisteria floribunda)
Chinese Wisteria
(Wisteria sinensis)
American Wisteria
(Wisteria frutescens)
DECIDUOUS VINES
HEIGHT ORNAMENTAL GROWING
FEATURES CONDITIONS
30 feet Very vigorous late summer Full sun, well-drained soil.
blooming vine with vivid pink Hardy only near coast.
flowers. Tendrils.
30 feet Bright orange trumpet-shaped Full sun. Tolerates heat
flowers in summer attract and drought. Clinging.
hummingbirds.
5 to 20 Many colors and patterns in Sun, but keep roots cool
feet large flowers are available. and shaded. For more
information see HGIC
1104.
30 feet Masses of small fragrant white Sun, but keep roots cool
blooms in late summer and fall. and shaded. For more
information see HGIC
1104
60 to 80 Glossy foliage and large white Partial shade to full sun.
feet flower clusters in summer. Moist, well-drained soil.
Clings.
12 feet Red flower buds open to Full to part sun. Drought
yellow flowers in spring tolerant. Attracts
through summer. hummingbirds. Twining.
10 to 20 Rapid-growing native vine Sun to part shade, climbs
with coarse foliage. Excellent by tendrils.
fall color.
50 to 60 Glossy leaves turn orange-red Partial shade to full sun.
feet in fall. Moist soil. Does poorly in
hot, dry areas. Clinging.
10 to 15 Beautiful, intricate purple and Full to part sun. Dies back
feet white flowers on a lovely to ground in winter.
native vine. The fruit is sweet Tendrils.
and aromatic.
30 feet Showy white flower clusters. Sun to shade, moist soil.
Dark leaves are marbled with Clings to trees and walls.
silver in variety ‘Moonlight.’
30 to 50 Fragrant, hanging clusters of Full sun to part shade.
feet lavender, white or pink flowers Moist, well-drained soil.
in spring. Blooms as leaves Do not over-fertilize.
emerge. Twining, needs strong
support.
30 to 50 Blue-violet flowers, but not as Same as above.
feet fragrant as Japanese Wisteria.
Blooms before leaves appear.
25 to 30 Fragrant lilac purple flower Same as above. Blooms
feet clusters in spring. Less on current season’s
invasive than Chinese and growth. ‘Amethyst Falls’
Japanese wisteria. is an excellent cultivar.
 EVERGREEN VINES
COMMON NAME HEIGHT ORNAMENTAL FEATURES GROWING
BOTANICAL NAME CONDITIONS
Fiveleaf Akebia Up to 30 Rapid-growing vine with small Almost any site in sun
(Akebia quinata) feet purple flowers. Light, fruity scent or shade, wet or dry
Attractive foliage. conditions. Twining.
Cross Vine Up to 50 Showy orange or reddish orange Tolerates any soil. Sun
(Bignonia capreolata) feet flowers in late spring. Flowers best or shade. Clinging.
in full sun.
Armand's Clematis 15 to 20 Long glossy leaves. Fragrant white Provide winter shade to
(Clematis armandii) feet flowers in early spring. There are prevent sun scorch. For
pink cultivars. more information see
HGIC 1104.
Climbing Fig Up to 50 Fine, heart-shaped foliage clings Moist, well-drained
(Ficus repens) feet tightly to walls. soil, partial shade.
Damaged below 10 F.
Autumn-Flowering 10 to 20 Flowers in autumn as well as in For more information
Jessamine feet spring, non-fragrant yellow flowers. see HGIC 1103.
(Gelsemium rankinii)
Carolina Jessamine 10 to 20 Bright yellow fragrant flowers in For more information
(Gelsemium sempervirens) feet or early spring. State flower of South see HGIC 1103.
ground Carolina.
cover
Algerian Ivy Up to 50 Large, luxuriant, thick and leathery Partial shade. Moist,
(Hedera canariensis) feet foliage. well-drained soil. For
more information see
HGIC 1105.
English Ivy 20 to 50 There are many varieties of ivy See above.
(Hedera helix) feet available with a variety of leaf forms,
patterns and colors.
Evergreen Honeysuckle 8 feet Spring-flowering native with orange- Sun to part shade, moist
(Lonicera sempervirens) scarlet flowers. ‘Sulphurea’ is well-drained soil.
yellow flowered. Twining.
Lady Banks Rose 10 to 15 Long slender canes with an Full sun. Moist, well-
(Rosa banksiae) feet abundance of violet scented pale drained, fertile soil.
yellow flowers in spring. Climbing roses are not
self-supporting.
Cherokee rose 10 to 12 Long, thorny, vine-like canes bear Full sun, to some shade.
(Rosa laevigata) feet pure white single flowers in spring Moist, well-drained,
fertile soil.
Evergreen Smilax Can reach Very beautiful foliage. Excellent Part shade. Rich, well
(Smilax lanceolata) 30 feet screen on trellises. drained soil. Tendrils.
Japanese Star Jasmine 15 feet or Smaller foliage, yellowish white Part shade, moist, well-
(Trachelospermum ground flowers. More cold hardy than drained soil. Twining.
asiaticum) cover Confederate Jasmine.
Confederate Jasmine 30 feet or White flowers, sweetly scented in Part shade, moist, well-
(Trachelospermum ground spring. ‘Madison’ is hardier. drained soil. Twining.
jasminoides) cover
 ANNUAL VINES
COMMON NAME HEIGHT ORNAMENTAL FEATURES GROWING
BOTANICAL NAME CONDITIONS
Moon Vine 15 feet Large, 4-inch, fragrant white Full sun with well-
(Ipomoea alba) flowers open in the evening and drained soil. Notch seed
last through the night. coat with a file and soak
overnight before
planting.
Love-in-a-Puff 10 feet Small white flowers followed Full sun and well-drained
(Cardiospermum halicacabum) by puffy fruits. The seed has a soil.
heart-shaped mark.
Cup and Saucer Vine 20 feet Green blossoms mature to deep Full sun. Moist, well-
(Cobaea scandens) purple. Fascinating foliage. drained soil. Tendrils at
end of leaves.
Purple Hyacinth Bean 10 feet Purple blossom spikes followed Easy to grow, requires a
(Lablab purpureus) by bright purple bean pods. sunny growing area.
Morning Glory 20 feet Fast-growing vine with 4-to 5- Warm sunny location,
(Ipomoea purpurea) inch-wide flowers in white, tolerates some drought.
blue or red. Soak and nick the seeds
before planting.
Cardinal Vine 20 feet Small brilliant red flowers Warm sunny location,
(Ipomoea x multifida) above ferny foliage. tolerates some drought.
Soak and nick the seeds
before planting.
Sweet Pea 6 feet Blue, pink, purple, red or white Cool temperatures, moist,
(Lathyrus odoratus) fragrant flowers in spring. well-drained soil.
Grow as winter or spring Remove old blossoms to
annual. keep the plant flowering
Mandevilla 10 to 15 Pink funnel-shaped flowers, Sun or light shade, well-
(Mandevilla splendens) feet leathery dark green leaves. drained soil. Mandavilla
is a tropical vine and can
be brought in for winter.
Spanish Flag 20 feet The flowers are at first red then Full sun, well-drained
(Mina lobata) fade through yellow to cream. soil. Soak the seed before
planting.
Scarlet Runner Bean 10 feet Fast-growing vine produces Full sun. Rich, well-
(Phaseolus coccineus) clusters of brilliant red flowers drained soil.
and edible beans.
Purple Bell Vine 10 feet Purple, bell-shaped flowers. Full sun. Moist organic
(Rhodochiton atrosanguineum) soil.

Prepared by Karen Russ, HGIC Information Specialist & Bob Polomski, Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Clemson University

This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Clemson University
Cooperative Extension Service is implied. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. All
recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use
patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed.
(New 6/99)
The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service
offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
Clemson University Cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture, South Carolina Counties, Extension Service, Clemson, South Carolina. Issued in Furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in
Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914
Public Service Activities