Flowering Vines

About

Flowering Vines Against a backdrop of trees, shrubs and other “stationary” plants, flowering vines add a touch of romance and softness to any garden. Although their feet remain firmly rooted, their arms reach out to cover structures or scramble along the ground. Their vast botanical diversity includes different sizes, shapes, colors and bloom seasons. Some vines are evergreen; others are deciduous. And while many are fast-growing, some grow slowly. You may want a flowering vine for a small space that grows only as tall as you are, or you may have the perfect spot for a vine that grows up to 80 feet. No matter what size yard you have or what your personal preferences dictate, there’s truly a flowering vine for every garden. Types of Vines Vines are classified by their method of climbing: 1. Clinging. Specialized structures on some vines allow them to clasp structures. Tendrils are leafless plant stems that grasp objects and coil around them. Holdfasts are root-like extensions of stems that attach themselves to structures. 2. Twining. As the stems of some flowering vines grow, they spiral or twist around structures or other plants as they climb. 3. Sprawling. Some flowering vines don’t have specialized structures that attach them to a support, and they don’t have spiraling or twisting stems. These types of vines produce long stems that have to be tied to a support (such as a stake) or woven through it (such as lattice). Training/Supporting Vines Some vines need a little help as they start to climb: 1. Clinging vines that use tendrils need slender supports to clasp, such as wire, a thin stake or a shepherd’s hook. If these vines can’t find an outside support, they’ll start clasping their own stems, leading to a big tangle. Vines with holdfasts can climb masonry structures, but they should not climb on wooden frame houses. Moisture can become trapped between the holdfasts and the wood, promoting decay. 2. Twining vines need stakes or posts to coil around. Care should be