The Right Vine for the Right Space
Clematis Bloom
What is a vine plant?
The definition of a vine is a plant whose stem requires support to climb, twine, or attach to in order to grow upwards or outwards. It can also mean a plant that creeps across the ground. There are well-behaved vines that grow at a slower pace and aggressive vines that are fast growing and can take over. Kudzu is the most famous example of a vine that was introduced to the United States as an erosion control method, quickly grew out of control, naturalized in many areas and is now considered invasive and detrimental to native trees in many areas. On the other end of the spectrum is clematis, a much more demure vine, which requires more specific conditions to grow well; shade cover on the root system, sun for best top growth and blooming. Most other vines fall somewhere in between!
Uses of Vines
Many of the vines are under use for various applications, but is just a few. They can be used to soften hash architectural elements on a building or a commercial site, screen unsightly objects, create privacy screening, shade porches or patios, form living fences or walls, and serve as an attractant for birds and butterflies. Some vines are multi-functional and can be used as a ground cover in some cases or create a living curtain hanging of a pergola. They can be trained on a wall with a design by pruning in a desired shape for a artistic element. Many can be used as ground cover or as a lawn substitute for steep slopes.
Types of Vines
Twining vine – This vine will support it’s self by curling the stem around the support by growing in a helix.
Tendrils – These vines have a specialized stem or petiole that is thread like, that the plant attaches to a support, as it grows.
Clinger – These vines have a specialized structures to attach to a surface to gain support. These structures can be aerial roots that form along the stem or a sucker like structure for support.
NAME CLASS HARDY ZONE FLOWERS BEST USE
Bougainvillea Tropical 9 – 11 Many colors Trellis, Hanging
Carolina Jessamine Evergreen woody 7 – 11 Yellow flowers Trellis
Clematis Deciduous woody 7 -9 Many colors Trellis
Climbing Hydrangea Deciduous woody 4 – 8 White Flower Trellis/wall
Honeysuckle Deciduous woody 4 – 8 Yellow,pink, red Trellis
Ivy English Evergreen woody 4 – 11 None Invasive; use in pots
Lotus vine Annual 10 – 11 Orange/red Trellis / fence
Confederate jasmine Evergreen woody 8 – 11 White Trellis / fence
Wisteria* Deciduous woody 7 – 9 Purple, White Trellis / fence
Cross vine Evergreen woody 6 – 9 Orange/ red Trellis / fence
Trumpet vine Deciduous woody 4 – 9 Orange Trellis / fence
Akebia chocolate vine Deciduous woody 4 – 9 Purple, Pink, White Trellis / fence
Passion vine Deciduous woody 6 – 9 Purple, Pink, Red, White Trellis
Boston ivy Deciduous woody 4 – 9 None Ground cover , Wall
Virginia creeper Deciduous woody 4 – 9 None Ground cover, Wall
Mandevilla Evergreen tropical 9 -11 Pink, White,Red Trellis, Hanging
Moon-vine Annual 9 – 11 White Trellis, Hanging
Black-eye Susan vine Annual 9 – 11 Orange/ black Trellis, Hanging
Hyacinth bean Annual 9 – 11 Purple Trellis
Cypress vine Annual/ tropical 9 – 11 Red Trellis / fence
Morning glory Annual 9 – 11 Blue, white, pink Trellis
Rose Climbing Deciduous woody 4 – 11 Many colors Trellis / fence
Rose Lady Banks Deciduous woody 6 – 11 Yellow, White Trellis / fence
Creeping fig Evergreen woody 8 – 11 None Trellis / Wall
Blackberry Deciduous woody 4 – 9 White with fruit Trellis / fence
Grapes Deciduous woody 4 – 9 Small with fruit Trellis / fence
Muscadine Deciduous woody 4 – 9 Small with fruit Trellis / fence
*Wisteria- avoid planting Chinese Wisteria varieties (Wisteria sinenis) as they can become invasive. We suggest smaller growing varieties such as the North American native species Amethyst Falls American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens). Another similar option is the Evergreen Wisteria (Callerya reticulata, the plant formerly known as genus Milletia reticulata, which isn’t a true Wisteria but is in the same Legume family), although this one is only hardy zones 8-10 and will likely not overwinter for much of Arkansas, unless very protected.
Uses of Vines
Many of the vines are under use for various applications, but is just a few.
They can be used to soften hash architectural element on a building or a commercial site, screen unsightly objects , privacy screening, shade porches or patios, form living fences or walls, attractant for birds and butterflies. They are multi functional that can be used as a ground cover in some cases or create a living curtain hanging of a pergola. They can be trained on a wall with a design by pruning in a desired shape for a artistic element. Many can be used as ground cover or as a lawn substitute for steep slopes.
Types of Vines
Twining vine – This vine will support it’s self by curling the stem around the support by growing in a helix.
Tendrils – These vines have a specialized stem or petiole that is thread like, that the plant attaches to a support, as it grows.
Clinger – These vines have a specialized structures to attach to a surface to gain support. These structures can be aerial roots that form along the stem or a sucker like structure for support.
Reasons to Prune and Pruning Tips
Vines produce a very adequate root system so to keep your vine looking good and growing vigorous you must prune by doing the following procedures.
- Remove any dead or damaged stems.
- Remove overly tangled stems periodically.
- Remove an arrant branches that develop during the growing season, or those that are growing away form the support structure.
- Direct growth.
- Limit the growth area, for the desired effect, by limiting the mass of the vine will ensure there is enough light and air to prevent die back and disease.
- Mature vines may need to be rejuvenated periodically with a severe prune, this should be done in late winter or early spring for most of the woody vines. These can be reduced by as much as 80% depending on the species. This type ff pruning will vastly improve the vigor of the plant and also promote better flowering.
- There are exceptions with most general rules, like a flowering vine, that would be best to prune post flowering.
- Remove unwanted suckers and spent flowers during the growing season.
- Start all annual vines indoors about 3-4 weeks before the last frost and get a jump on the spring season, then transplant to the final growing area after the chance of frost has pasted or plant starter plants after frost in the spring.
Pest Control on Vines
Because of the vigorous nature of vines they do not get a lot of pests, but your should scout for insects and disease during the growing season and least once per month.
Some of the insect pests you may encounter would be Spider Mites, during hot dry weather, Aphids, in the early spring on the new soft growth, Thrips in the flowers during the summer. These can all be controlled with an appropriate insecticide. Also a couple applications of Horticultural/dormant oil spray during the winter would also be helpful to prevent overwintering of insect pests.
Some of the diseases that you may encounter are Powdery Mildew which would occur during periods of wet cloudy weather. Root rot diseases may be a problem if the soil is poorly drained, particularly for Clematis. These diseases can be controlled by proper watering of the plants, performing a drainage test and addressing issues before planting, and/or treatments of Ferti-lome Systemic Fungicide, or a Copper Fungicide.