by Amanda Moon
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
galvanized 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 our
central Texas gardens.
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Tropical Beauties
1. Bougainvillea A bright sun-tolerant summer bloomer, bougain-
villea 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.
(hanging baskets $19. 99; 3 gal. pots $24.99)
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 trumpet flowers in bright shades of pink, yellow or red. Protect
from frost and they will give you summer blooms for years. (1 gal.
yellow $12.99.)
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 beautiful when in bloom – which is often. It’s also
drought tolerant once established. (1 gal. $9.99)
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Cottage Bloomers
4. Coral Vine An old-fashioned vine that adorns many old home-
steads 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 winters but usually returns with vigor the next
season. Probably my favorite vine of all! (5 gal. $34.99)
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 flowers are a sight to behold, almost daisy-style with funky
stamens dancing out from the center. (1 gal. $12.99)
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.
(5 gal for $19.99)
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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,
evergreen most years. Vigorous once established. (1 gal. $12.99,
5 gal. variegated rare $34.99.)
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
salmon-colored blooms cover the vine mid-spring. Dormant in winter.
(5 gal. $34.99)
10. Carolina Jessamine Profusions of yellow flowers in early
spring, evergreen, and deer-resistant. (5 gal. $34.99)
Happy vine gardening everyone!
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