Vines add interest to all gardens. They offer a wide variety of leaf forms, textures, and colors as well as attractive flowers or fruit. Perennial vines do not need replanting every year and can be used as a screen and to provide shade, fragrance, or fruit. They are often incorporated into gardens along walls, fences, trellises, arbors, or in containers to add height quickly in a limited space.
Types of Vines
Vines are often categorized by their means of support. There are several ways vines climb or attach themselves to a structure. Some vines like Wisteria literally wrap themselves or twine around a structure. Other vines like grapes use modified leaves or tendrils to attach and pull themselves up a structure. Still others like Virginia creeper or English ivy use aerial roots or root-like structures called holdfasts to adhere like cement to a wall or structure as they climb.
The type of vine planted will determine the necessity for a support structure. A twining-type vine will require a structure and possibly some attachment to grow vertically. A vine with root-like holdfasts will often climb a wall easily without any additional support. Keep in mind that vines with root-like holdfasts can cause damage to the sides of buildings, especially wood siding. It is best to grow these types of vines on another structure a few inches in front of the siding to allow adequate air circulation and prevent damage.
Common Perennial Vines for Iowa
Listed by means of support, followed by exposure.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Means of Support | Exposure | Native to Iowa | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisteria | Wisteria spp. | Twining | Sun | Some species | Fragrant white, pink, lavender, or violet pea-shaped flowers borne on long clusters in late spring or early summer; blooms inconsistently in Iowa |
| Perennial Pea | Lathyrus latifolius | Twining | Sun | No | White, rose, or magenta flowers beginning in summer and continuing to fall; little or no fragrance |
| Variegated-leaf Hardy Kiwi | Actinidia kolomikta | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | No | Dark green leaves tipped in white or pink; hardiest of the Actinidia; fragrant white flowers in spring; edible small fruit |
| Five-leaf Akebia | Akebia quinata | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | No | Aggressive vine with five shiny medium green leaflets per leaf; inconspicuous flowers; produces fleshy, purple 2 to 3-inch long pods |
| American Bittersweet | Celastrus scandens | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | Yes | Bright orange and yellow berries in fall; grows rapidly; male and female plant needed for fruit set; avoid planting the closely related and highly invasive Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) |
| Clematis | Clematis spp. | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | Some species | Large, showy flowers available in many colors; numerous varieties to choose from; Summer blooming; Long-blooming |
| Sweet Autumn Clematis | Clematis terniflora | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | No | Abundant, small, white, fragrant flowers open in late summer/early fall; Plants can aggressively reseed |
| Hops | Humulus lupulus | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | Yes | Fast-growing vines quickly cover a structure; flowers are cone-like in late summer/early fall and attractive to butterflies; this species is also used to flavor beer |
| Goldflame Honeysuckle | Lonicera x heckrottii | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | No | Clusters of red and orange tubular flowers with yellow throats that bloom throughout the summer; attracts hummingbirds |
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera 'Dropmore Scarlet' Dropmore Scarlet | Twining | Sun to Partial Shade | No | Clusters of bright red tubular flowers throughout summer and into fall; attracts hummingbirds |
| Dutchman's Pipe | Aristolochia durior | Twining | Partial Shade to Shade | No | Aggressive vine used as screens in shady sites; inconspicuous white to brownish-purple, pipe-shaped flowers in spring; fragrance considered unpleasant |
| Grape | Vitis spp. | Tendrils | Sun | Some species | Dark green leaves that are often three or five-lobed; edible purple, red, or white fruits in late summer or early fall |
| Porcelain Vine | Ampelopsis brevipeduniculata | Tendrils | Sun to Partial Shade | No | Showy multi-colored blue, cream, or purple berries in late summer; variegated leaf forms available; can be invasive |
| Trumpet Creeper | Campsis radicans | Aerial Roots/Holdfasts | Sun | Yes | Bright orange, scarlet, or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers in summer; attracts hummingbirds; may need strong support; suckers profusely and can become invasive |
| Silver Fleece Vine | Polygonum aubertii | Aerial Roots/Holdfasts | Sun | No | Bright green leaves that have red tips when young; large clusters or creamy white flowers appear in late summer or early fall; aggressive climber or groundcover |
| Wintercreeper | Euonymus fortunei | Aerial Roots/Holdfasts | Sun to Partial Shade | No | Semi-evergreen vine often used as groundcover; 'Purpurea' a green leaf form that changes to purple in winter is popular |
| English Ivy | Hedera helix | Aerial Roots/Holdfasts | Partial Shade to Shade | No | Semi-evergreen, dark green leaves that require winter protection; often used as a groundcover in shady sites; many cultivars are available; 'Thorndale' and Bulgaria' are two of the hardiest |
| Climbing Hydrangea | Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris | Aerial Roots/Holdfasts | Partial Shade to Shade | No | Large, flat white flowers on top of dark green leaves in summer; works well when planted against tree trunks; slow to establish |
| Virginia Creeper | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Aerial Roots/Holdfasts | Sun to Shade | Yes | The emerging leaves are bronze-green changing to dark green by summer; five leaflets per leaf; brilliant red or burgundy fall color; climbs brick or stone walls easily |
| Boston Ivy | Parthenocissus tricuspidata | Aerial Roots/Holdfasts | Sun to Shade | No | Large three-lobed dark green leaves that turn a brilliant yellow, orange, or scarlet in fall; climbs brick or stone walls easily |
