The Garden Post

By Kim Bius

Blooming Vines for Your Summer Garden

What makes a summer garden unique? Blooming vines! Blooming vines are available in a wide range of categories: evergreen, perennial, annual, and tropical evergreen (will freeze at temps below 28 for several hours). Blooming vines are also available in a wide range of textures, bloom colors, fragrances, and sun and soil requirements. Here are a few of the most requested vines and their requirements.

Confederate Jasmine is a Texas favorite. This prolific, evergreen vine is highly fragrant and blooms from midspring until fall with clusters of star-like white blooms. The vine displays fall colors of bright red/burgundy/ bronze and coppers, withstands heavy freezes (once established). Confederate Jasmine brings an intoxicating fragrance to the garden that few other plants have. Considered deer proof, prefers 6-8 hours of sun for heavy blooming, but will grow in shady areas with few blooms.

Purple Passion Vine is a Texas native (as well as a few other passiflora varities). Many are tropicals, but a few, like the red and native purple, will withstand temp into the lower 20s and return. These beautiful vines are also the preferred plant of several butterfly varieties, and exclusive to the gulf fritillary. If planted in an area that does not have hard winter dieback, Pasiflora Incarnata will produce an egg-shaped fruit that is delicious and makes fabulous daiquiris. Passion vines are lightly fragrant, have few disease or insect problems, and considered deer proof.

Bleeding Heart Vine is another true southern heirloom vine (that can be considered invasive, if planted in the wrong area and not given room to roam). Bleeding heart is a very hardy, sun-loving perennial that blooms early summer through fall and displays clusters of white/red or purple hanging bloom clusters. A prolific climber, and fast growing--can grow up to 6” a day in season. Deer proof, easy, no known insects, and once you have one, all your friends can have one, too. Excellent on pergolas, fences, and open areas.

Coral Vine, a native of Mexico, is another lightly fragrant, southern favorite. The lacy blooms hang in pink clusters during the summer and are often “show-stoppers.” The coral vine does not do well in colder temperatures, but can be grown as an annual--due to its fast growth, it can reach 6’ in one season. Coral vine is not immensely heavy and makes a great choice for a lighter fence or structure. Coral Vine prefer sunny locations, prolific growers, and will return each year from the bountiful seed produced-perfect bird habitat. Rarely has disease or insects.

Do not forget to add a few annual vine varieties. Moonflower, morning glory, and cardinal vine are just a few of the hardy heirloom, fragrant, blooming vines that can be grown from seed and replanted annually (or collect the seed and replant each year). Moonflower is a perennial favorite, and kids love watching the large blue/white blooms open at dusk. Super easy to grow, hardy, and only require a half day of sunlight. Other favorites are black-eyed susan vine, clematis, and of course, climbing roses-which are an entire different category, but definitely worth mentioning.

The above listed blooming vines are sun lovers, require good drainage, and will return to grace your garden for years. Happy summer gardening!