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 central Texas gardens.
Tropical Beauties
1. Bougainvillea – A bright sun-tolerant summer bloomer, bougainvillea 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.
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.
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.
Cottage Bloomers
4. Coral Vine – An old-fashioned vine that adorns many old homesteads 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
10. Carolina Jessamine – Profusions of yellow flowers in early spring, evergreen, and deer-resistant.
Happy vine gardening everyone!
If you have a question for Chris or Amanda, send it via email to iathyme@yahoo.com. Or mail a postcard to It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748
www.itsaboutthyme.com
