Vines and Vining Shrubs
The subtropics and tropics offer a huge variety of flowering vines for fence, pergola or trellis. Some of our favorites are illustrated below. Check for availability.
Last update: October 20, 2007
Allamanda cathartica - Cherry Jubilee Allamanda
Fast growing, old standby for southern front porch trellises with large blooms. Flowers in spring, summer and fall. The common one is yellow, so we carry the purple "Cherry Jubilee" and Peach. May go dormant during a cold winter. Low salt tolerance/ medium drought tolerance. Poisonous if eaten. From Brazil. Zones 10-11
Aristolochia elegans - Dutchman's Pipe; Calico Flower
This perennial vine from Brazil bears one of the strangest oval-shaped flowers with a bowl and a pipe attached on the back. The dark red/cream colored flowers appear in the spring and summer. Especially good for pergola planting since the flowers dangle inside. It makes quite a show. Zones 9-11.
Beaumontia grandiflora - Herald's Trumpet
Large showy fragrant trumpet-shaped white flowers appear winter/spring on this large vine that needs support. Fast growing from NE India. Low salt/ medium drought tolerance. Zones 10-11
Holmskioldia sanguinea - Red Mandarin Hat
May be grown as a shrub or a vine. A year-round bloomer from the Himalayas, of all places, but does just fine in South Florida. Full sun is best. Unusual deep red flower color in this variety. Available periodically.
Hoya pubicalyx - Hoya
This Hoya has lovely deep pink, waxy, long lasting umbels of flowers. A vining plant that is especially suited to hanging baskets and likes dappled shade or part sun. Likes humid conditions. Hoyas are native to Australia, India, China and the Pacific islands.
picture by Bob Mathers
Jasminum nitidum - Shining Jasmine
A strong growing, evergreen climber (to 20 feet) with glossy dark green leaves and slightly fragrant white flowers borne in small sprays. May be kept hedge-like with pruning. Blooming seasons are spring through summer. Medium drought/salt tolerance. Zones 10-11
Lonicera X americana - Honeysuckle
Clusters of fragrant pink flowers decorate this perennial vine throughout the year but mainly in spring and summer. Older flowers fade to yellow. It has a fast growth rate, has medium drought and medium salt tolerance and wide temperature tolerance. Zones 5-10
Petrea
volubilis - Purple Queen's Wreath
An outstanding evergreen ornamental vine from the Caribbean. Blue blooms are produced in profusion late winter through the summer and sometimes all year-round. It will grow on a trellis or fence, or stand alone as a bush. It has a medium growth rate, medium salt tolerance and medium drought tolerance. Zones 10-11
taken at Fairchild Tropical Garden
Pyrostegia venusta- Brazilian Flame Vine
Incredible masses of brilliant orange blossoms in winter and spring on this fast growing evergreen vine from Brazil and Paraguay. It is very drought tolerant once established but has poor salt tolerance. Excellent cover and showy display for arbor or pergola. Zones 10-11
Saritea magnifica syn. Bignonia magnifica
Perennial evergreen climber with large heads of rosy-blue flowers shaped like trumpets late winter through summer. It is native to South America. Zones 10-11
Stephanotis floribunda - Madagascar Jasmine
An intensely fragrant pure white flowering, perennial vine from Madagascar. The clusters of tubular blooms are used for wedding bouquets. It blooms in cycles all year, but primarily in the summer. It is a very elegant fence covering with a medium growth rate. Trim to promote branching and more flowering. We recommend full sun for maximum flowering. It has high drought tolerance once established, and medium salt tolerance. Zones 10-11
Thunbergia grandiflora - Bengal Clock Vine, Blue Sky Vine
A classic flowering vine which provides good cover and year-round blooms. Dense and fast-growing. Needs full sun for at least part of the day. From tropical India.
Trachelospermum jasminoides - ‘Confederate’ or ‘Star’ Jasmine
A very fragrant, flowering, evergreen vine from China. White flowers appear primarily in the spring. Will thrive in partial to full sun locations. It can be used as a climber or as a ground cover. It works well along chain link fences, as it is a twiner. It has medium salt and medium drought tolerance. Zones 8-11
