American Bittersweet- Woody vine with medium sized leaves; twining around trellis or support. Yellow fall color; male and female plants. Need several plants to produce the brilliant orange and red capsule fruits. Shade tolerant. Hardy.

Clematis- Near herbaceous vines with showy flowers; may freeze back in the winter but recommended cultivars will flower on new growth. When growth starts prune back to live wood. Plant in a protected area with well drained soil and adequate moisture; requires cool area around roots. Plant annual flowers or groundcovers at the base to provide shading of the roots. Leaf petioles wrap around trellis. Cultivars include: `Comtesse De Bouchard' ( pink flowers), `Ernest Markham' (red-violet flowers), `Hagley's Hybrid' (light pink flowers), `Henryi' (Large white flowers with a dark center), `Jackmanii' (deep violet flowers), `Ramona' (lavender-blue flowers with dark stamen). Alpine Clematis (C. alpina) grows 12-14' high; over winters to the tips. Blooms in mid May; small pink or blue flowers. Big Petal Clematis (C. macropetala) blooms in late May; small blue, white or pink flowers. Vines over winter to the tips. Ground Clematis (C. recta) reaches 3' in height; large clusters of fragrant, small, white four petaled flowers. Golden Clematis (C. tanguitica) has 1-1½" yellow bell-shaped flowers; can become weedy. Italian Clematis (C. viticella) has small purple, blue or red flowers; late July-August. Solitary Clematis (C. integrefolia) is 3' tall with small blue bell-like flowers; late June to frost. Sweet Autumn Clematis (C. paniculata) has small fragrant white flowers in late August-early September; borderline in hardiness.

Hardy Grape- Large, vigorous woody vine, climbing by means of tendrils; coarse leaf texture. Clusters of violet-blue, tart fruits; good for jelly or bird food. Shade tolerant. Best cultivars: `Beta' and `Valiant' (less vigorous; larger fruit. Must be pruned to get good fruit production).

Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle- Attractive climber; wraps stem around trellis or support. Rosy orange trumpet shaped flowers; long bloom period when moisture is adequate. Sterile. May suffer slight winter freezeback. Aphids can be a problem. Very good vine. Hardiest vine honeysuckle. `Mandarin' (larger flowers and glossy leaves; merits trial). Goldflame Honeysuckle Vine (not as hardy). Trumpet Honeysuckle (borderline in hardiness)

Boston Ivy- Medium textured vine with three lobed leaves. Red fall color; climbs by means of tendril-like holdfasts. Half hardy and kills back some each winter. Less vigorous than `Engelmannii'; more usable on average sized homes and buildings.

Engelmann Ivy is a selection of Virginia Creeper; smaller leaves and less vigorous. High climbing vine; five leaflets per leaf. Too vigorous for use on buildings except for those of considerable height and no windows. Problem with covering windows and chimneys. Climbs by means of sucker-like discs; no trellis needed. Good red fall color; adequate moisture is required. 
 

Trumpet Vine-Vigorous vine with trumpet shaped, orange-scarlet flowers; aerial roots cling to wall or support. Borderline in hardiness. Will kill back in open areas but usually flowers on south facing walls.

Woodbine-Coarse textured vine of medium height; five leaflets per leaf. Tendrils wrap around trellises or fences; won't cling to walls. Clusters of blue berries; not palatable. Fall color in good sun.

This page was last updated March 2003

Go to Trees & Shrubs

Go to Horticulture Page