Climbing Vines That Don't Take
Although far from the only unruly things growing in our gardens, vines always seem to be the poster children for invasive plants. Years ago, when Brushwood Nursery was young, we participated in on-site sales events at the public gardens. A few visitors walked past our tables and shouted “Oh, flags!” I distinctly remember commenting that. and "Can you even imagine that in my garden?" It's true that the mature size and habits of any plant should be considered when adding it to your landscape, but many of the best vines and climbers fit in well and beautify themselves in a way that other plants can't.
The following are some of the best choices for not using your car when you retire. Some are surprising, others are known garden bullies or "good cousins" to invasive vines. I think it's a shame if an entire race is disparaged because one or more races are bad choices. Whether you're looking to add interest to unreachable or lifeless spots or hide a cataract, you'll find something you'll love here.
1. Florida’ Dutch honeysuckle serves as an excellent hummingbird magnet
Honeysuckles get a bad rap, don't they? It is unfortunate that a few invasive species are destroying it for other generous but perfectly decent honeysuckles. 'Florida' Dutch honeysuckle is a prime example. This profuse climber is a particularly compact sport form that begins with dark reddish-purple buds that open to reveal creamy white petals that mature from butter yellow to gold. It has a pleasant aroma, attracts hummingbirds and is deer resistant. Keeping the 'Florida' a little shorter is easy to do with a snip here and there if needed. It works well on a trellis or fence, where it happily twines and produces hundreds of flowers in summer. I especially like it on a bend in a walkway where you can appreciate both the nuances and the fragrance of the flowers (top photo).
2. Westerland climbing rose is a fragrant, disease-resistant delight
I love roses—literally, I do. But there are only a few that I love. Westerland checks all the boxes for me. It is a sturdy climber that trains well and has good immunity. I have seen it trained on the lower branches of an old fruit tree, where it filled in well without disturbing its host. This rose's deliciously fragrant, steadily repeating blooms shine all summer in rich shades of apricot, orange and copper. It pairs well with purple large-flowered clematis (Clematis cvs, zones 4-9) such as 'The President' and 'Rhapsody'. Climbing roses and clematis make excellent companions because they enjoy rich, well-drained soil with regular watering during the growing season. Since most clematis are pruned back in winter, it's easy to see what a rose needs. I apply espoma rose-tone organic fertilizer liberally several times throughout the spring and summer - and both plants love it.
3. Liberty clematis produces colorful flowers on a compact form
No list of well-behaved climbers would be complete without clematis. Although a few species can become invasive in some locations, most are tame and suitable for most settings. One of my new favorites is Liberty® Clematis. Its 5-inch flowers, veined and edged in magenta red, have a stunning pale pink base. They are abundant on the vine in late spring and recur in summer. A colorful and highly compact new hybrid, Liberty® fits anywhere in a garden - including containers. As with many clematis species, I find the seed heads decorative—like something out of a Dr. Seuss story. Liberty® has proven cold hardy to zone 6, but I think it will be hardier further north. Like other large-flowered hybrid clematis, Liberty® takes some time to establish, but it's worth the wait. Other than annual pruning to a height of 1 to 2 feet, this vine requires very little additional care once established.
4. ‘Longwood Purple’ American wisteria provides a noninvasive wisteria option
A tame wisteria—really? Yes, indeed, you can grow wisteria without fear. It is important not to rule out an entire species because some species are invasive. This selection from the famous Longwood Garden has graced my garden for decades. Fragrant pinkish-purple flowers are intoxicating from mid-spring to early summer—blooming repeatedly in fall in shady conditions.
Of course, regular pruning is necessary to keep this vine from getting inside, but it is similar to its Asian counterparts W. floribunda (zones 4-9) and W. sinensis (zones 5-8), which sows and runs everywhere. . Although 'Longwood Purple' is a tamer wisteria, it needs very firm support. The lattice works at first, but the rods swell over time, breaking the lighter structures. I prefer 4-inch by 4-inch wood posts and steel. Once established, 'Longwood Purple' requires annual winter pruning. However, if you want to keep it in a more compact state, do a little trim in the summer.
5. ‘Morning Calm’ trumpet vine is an adaptable large-scale climber
I'm a fan of planting natives, but our native trumpet vine (C. radicans and cvs., zones 4–10) can really get out of hand from both runners and seeds. 'Morning Com' is a worthy alternative in Asia. The large, peachy corollas on its flowers are attractive and plentiful all summer long. Hummingbirds and other pollinators also love it. It appreciates good soil, but is generally adaptable. Although considered a flag to cling to, this choice requires practice and support. I found it blooming very profusely, with each stem arching out and down, displaying dozens of flowers at the tip. Give 'Morning Com' some space to host, but don't worry about it taking liberties with your generosity.
6. Rosy crabapple kiwi adds elegance with its colorful foliage
If you're looking for elegance, Rosy Crabapple Kiwi is the perfect vine for you. I fell in love with this rarity when I visited Crook Farm Nursery in Wales, where it filled the wall of an ancient barn. The support structure was a combination of iron rods and wires, which was perfect for this twiner. The decent dark green leaves are thin and have fine white tips. The leaves make a wonderful backdrop for the spring flowers, which have a rich, rosy-pink color that really catches the eye. While it can quickly cover your favorite sturdy trellis or arbor, it's easy to keep track of if needed. This handsome species is not as cold-hardy as the more common arctic kiwi (A. kolomikta and cvs., zones 4-8), but it has an exceptional climbing ability wherever it grows.
7. Climbing Carolina Aster is a pollinator-friendly, fall-blooming native
Here's another beauty I first saw in Longwood Gardens in the fall. Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Idea Garden, it displayed an abundance of tiny lavender flowers. I have been growing it ever since and have estimated over a thousand flowers in my garden at one time! I especially like this native species for my bees and native pollinators, who benefit from the flowers during their smaller blooms. At the northern end of its hardiness range, climbing Carolina aster is completely herbaceous and can reach a maximum height of 6 feet, which is good because it has plenty of time before it comes on strong and blooms. And in the southern regions, it reaches its full height. It is very easy to grow, tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, and is drought tolerant once established. I cut it back to 2 feet before the growing season starts and it regrows completely every year.
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