There is nothing that brightens up an empty fence or bare wall like a
vine. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the one trait they all
have in common is their desire to climb something . . . anything! This
gives them a versatility that shrubs and perennials just don’t possess.
Even though I have a small yard, I’ve been able to use vines in the
ground and in large pots to cover some less-than-beautiful spots. A gal-
vanized bucket of red cascade rose blocks the view of my gas meter, and
an ugly chain length fence is covered by star jasmine. Much prettier to
look at! Here are ten of my favorite vines for central Texas gardens.
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Tropical Beauties
1. Bougainvillea A bright sun-tolerant summer bloomer, bougainvillea
in its original form is a vigorous vine that in more tropical climates can
scale two story buildings. In our area it does well in a large pot trained
up a tripod-type trellis or allowed to cascade down a wall. The standard
pink is the most cold tolerant and will usually come back from temps
down to about 25 F if planted in a protected location. Allow the plant to
dry between waterings for best blooms.
2. Mandevilla Another sun-loving tropical that makes a beautiful small
vine for a large pot on a deck or by the pool. This vine blooms large trum-
pet flowers in bright shades of pink, yellow or red. Protect from frost and
they will give you summer blooms for years.
3. Mexican Flame Vine More cold-tolerant than the previous two, this
vine can be planted in the ground and will cover a trellis in a season. The
blooms are a bright orange daisy and attract butterflies. Absolutely beaut-
iful when in bloom – which is often. It’s also drought tolerant once estab-
lished.
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Cottage Bloomers
4. Coral Vine An old-fashioned vine that adorns many old homesteads
throughout Texas. This plant blooms buckets of pink flowers on a vine that
can cover a wall in a matter of months. Will die to the ground in cold win-
ters but usually returns with vigor the next season. Probably my favorite
vine of all!
5. Passionvine A native vine sought after to attract monarch larvae, it
also is available in several cultivars. The traditional purple is the most
winter hardy, but all are extremely aggressive once established. The flow-
ers are a sight to behold, almost daisy-style with funky stamens dancing
out from the center.
6. Red Cascade A one inch red rose with canes pliable enough to be
grouped with other vines. This little beauty can be twisted around poles
and trellises, trained in ways other roses cannot bend.
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Tough As Nails
Lastly, these vines are some of our most commonly grown here and for
good reason. Once established they can survive almost anything our
climate can throw at us, and are adaptable to almost any soil conditions.
7. Star / Confederate Jasmine Fragrant white flowers in spring, ever-
green most years. Vigorous once established.
8. Honeysuckle A vigorous vine with trumpet-shaped flowers in white,
cream or coral. The coral honeysuckle is the least aggressive of the
group. Evergreen.
9. Crossvine A non-invasive substitution for trumpet vine. Large sal-
mon-colored blooms cover the vine mid-spring. Dormant in winter.
10. Carolina Jessamine Profusions of yellow flowers in early spring,
evergreen, and deer-resistant. Happy vine gardening everyone! ❦
