Vines For Full Sun

VINES FOR FULL SUN

I Have A Trellis In Full Sun. What Would You Suggest As A Vine?

Clematis

Without doubt the all time favorite for a trellis is Clematis. This hardy vine is available in many varieties. It is favored for its large blooms in a range of colours including purple, red, pink, and white. The selection of Clematis is extensive and the care of varieties varies considerably. It is important to know which variety of Clematis is planted and how it should be pruned. There are three different categories of pruning. Click here to go to the article on pruning

Honeysuckle

Another excellent choice for a hardy, woody vine is the Honeysuckle vine. The plant will grow 8-10 feet tall on a trellis or support on a wall and blooms over a long period of time with orangey, red coloured flowers. One of the great features of the Honeysuckle is that it attracts Hummingbirds.

Trumpet Vine

One of the more beautiful flowering vines with orange-red trumpet shaped flowers. It can get quite large though so it is not ideal of smaller trellises. It enjoys full to partial sun.

Climbing Hydrangea

Another favorite for a trellis in a shady location is Climbing Hydrangea. This Hydrangea has most of the qualities of the ground shrub except that it grows long runners that can be trained to grow on a trellis. The blooms are white.

Virginia Creeper

It is hard to go into the bush in our area and not find some Virginia Creeper. This is because it is such a tough and vigorous plant. It is really good for providing some nice vertical greenery. It also turns a lovely red colour in the fall. Virginia Creeper can grow in any light from full sun to full shade. Since it is a very vigorous plant you want to make sure that where you plant it is where you want to keep it as it requires some effort to remove if desired later on. If you like the look of virginia creeper but would like a less vigorous variety you can try out Engelman Ivy instead.

Boston Ivy

Boston Ivy has the same qualities as Virginia Creeper in terms of providing lots of nice vertical greenery and turning a nice red in the fall. It prefers to grow in full sun to part sun however it can tolerate full shade. Just like Virginia Virginia creeper you want to make sure that where you plant it is where you want to keep it as it requires some effort to remove if desired later on.

Climbing Roses

The use of roses on trellises or arbors is also popular. Selections of roses that are very vigorous growing and can be trained as climbers are available but are less hardy. Climbing roses while beautiful through the summer need to be taken down off of the trellis and laid down for winter cover.

Winter Hardy Grapes

The family of hardy grapes is another option. The leaf of the grape is an attractive feature on an arbor or trellis. As well, many of the varieties grown here will produce fruit. Unfortunately, with a winter like we have just had grapes struggle to survive.

Annuals

In the annual family there are many attractive vines. There are Thunbergia, Morning Glory, Canary Vine, Climbing Nasturtiums, Potato Vine and Scarlet Runner Beans. As these plants are annuals they are very vigorous and easily can cover 8-10 feet of height without much difficulty. Similarly, Sweet Pea varieties that climb make very attractive vines and are excellent for cutting as well. All of these varieties can be seeded now and will germinate very quickly and cover the trellis or arbor in no time at all each year.