Favorite Flowering Vines for Your Garden

Bougainvillea is a gorgeous woody vine/shrub that grows as a perennial in most tropical climates. It's an annual in my zone, but it's worth the extra effort each year! This vine does not naturally cling, so you need to use some sort of support and add a few attachments. This vine loves the sun and appreciates very warm temperatures. You can find bougainvillea in white, red, pink and purple. They thrive best in rich soils that drain well. You can use these vines to decorate walls, gates, hedges and fences. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full sun
Height - Climbs up to 15 feet
Zones - 9-11
Bloom Time - Year round
Features - Fast growing, waterwise, bird friendly

The cardinal climber vine is a vibrant plant featuring tubular red flowers with a white throat. It is a favorite of hummingbirds and is another sun lover. It is actually a cross between the cypress vine and the red morning glory. The delicate leaves of this flower make for a lovely addition to any trellis, arbor, tuteur or obelisk. I love how this vine looks almost lacy! This plant isn't picky, and will grow in just about any type of soil. If you are looking for a vine that needs almost no maintenance, this is perfect for you.

Fast Facts
Light - Full sun to partial shade
Height - Climbs up to 12 feet
Zones - Annual in most zones
Bloom Time - Mid-summer to fall
Features - Hummingbird magnet, low maintenance, deer resistant

Clematis is one of my favorite flowering vines. It is also, sadly, a favorite meal of every critter in my yard. Almost any time I've grown clematis, something has snuck into my yard and eaten the roots. Even though I should give up at this point, I don't! Now, I've switched to growing clematis in containers. I've had much better luck! There are a variety of different types of clematis vines you can grow in your yard. They prefer a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil. Looks lovely trailing on fences, lamp posts and standing mailboxes. I also mention a particular fall blooming variety below! Regular clematis is sold in many different varieties. The fast facts below are based on 'Ernest Markham' clematis.

Fast Facts
Light - Sun to part shade
Height - Climbs up to 16 feet
Zones - 4-8
Bloom Time - Early summer to fall
Features - Attracts pollinators, vigorously growing, showy blooms

Favorite Varieties: Jackmanii, Gypsy Queen, Red Cardinal

Climbing roses really know how to put on a show. I can't help but fall in love with their charming, rustic cottage garden look. Most types of climbing roses prefer full sun, and loamy soil. They also prefer a consistent drink of water and good drainage. They come in all different colors and sizes, so options are endless. You can train them to grow well up fences, trellises, arbors and even the side of your home! They grow best with some fertilizer and plenty of mulch. The fast facts below are for the 'New Dawn' climbing rose. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full Sun
Height - Climbs up to 20 feet
Zones - 5-9
Bloom Time - Early summer to mid fall
Features - Prolific bloomer, perfect for bouquets, can tolerate some shade

Favorite Varieties: New Dawn, Don Juan, William Baffin 

Honeysuckle was my introduction to the vine world. I told my boyfriend I wanted to attract hummingbirds into my yard, and he bought me some honeysuckle. I was enchanted with the name, but had no idea what to expect. I was delighted when a bunch of bright, unique blooms started to appear. Then, the hummingbirds came in droves. I noticed multiple visits daily. The second variety I purchased, I planted closer to my window so I could see these small creatures flit back and forth.

They are a perennial in Massachusetts, so I get to enjoy them year after year. They grow quickly, and love the heat. They are indestructible, and are truly built to last. The vines are very hardy and look lovely on a fence, trellis, or arbor. They can even be grown as ground cover and for soil erosion! I'm growing some in a container, and it has done very well over the last three years. They produce fruit in the fall, perfect for the birds. Below are fast facts for the Dropmore Scarlet variety. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full Sun
Height - Climbs up to 12 feet
Zones - 4-10
Bloom Time - Late spring through mid-summer
Features - Fragrant, fast growing, attracts pollinators

Favorite Varieties: Dropmore Scarlet, Trumpet, Goldflame

Do you enjoy your early morning out in the garden? Morning glory flowers are for you! They have heart-shaped leaves decorating slender stems with trumpet-shaped flowers. You can get them in a large variety of different colors. They can self seed easily in warmer climates but are sadly just annuals in my zone. They are vigorous growers and don't need fancy soil. They actually prefer plain old soil! You will notice your flowers blooming as the sun comes up and the flowers fading  as the sun goes back down. They are at peak bloom for me around 7 or 8 in the morning. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and look lovely covering a fence. There is also a evening blooming variety known as the moon flower. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full Sun
Height - Climbs up to 15 feet
Zones - Annual in most zones
Bloom Time - Summer through fall
Features - Very easy to maintain, attracts pollinators, fast growing

Favorite Varieties: Heavenly Blue, Grandpa Ott, Scarlet O'hara

I grow sweet peas for their extraordinary perfume fragrance. They make the garden smell so sweet and instantly put me in a good mood. I love how charming this cottage garden favorite is. You can grow a multitude of colors and mixes. The blooms are frilly and romantic. They look lovely climbing any trellis, fences and arbors. They need around 50 days of temperatures under 60 degrees to bloom well. They are annuals in most zones. I find them carefree and easy to maintain once they take off. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full Sun
Height - Climbs up to 8 feet
Zones - Annual in most zones
Bloom Time - Summer through fall
Features - Attract bees, honey-like fragrance, enjoys cool weather

Favorite Varieties: Erewhon, Painted Lady, Butterfly Old Spice

I know I mentioned clematis earlier, but I put Sweet Autumn Clematis in a category of it's own. It's a vine that is that special to me. When I was super frustrated and down that I couldn't grow regular clematis, this grew like crazy! Unlike most clematis varieties, it grows it's foliage all season and then blooms prolifically in fall. When they say sweet, they mean sweet! The smell perfumes the air and can be noticed a good distance away. I never want to go another year of my life without Sweet Autumn Clematis. It looks lovely growing on fences, arbors and trellises. Make sure you plant it somewhere that you can fully enjoy it's fragrance. 

Fast Facts
Light - Full Sun to part shade
Height - Climbs up to 20 feet
Zones - 4-9
Bloom Time - Fall
Features - Fragrant, fast growing, attracts butterflies

More Great Vines
• Climbing Hydrangea
• Jasmine
• Mandevilla
• Wisteria 
• Black-Eyed Susan Vine
• Passionflower
• Purple Hyacinth Bean
• Virginia Creeper
• Corkscrew Vine
• Blue Sky Vine

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