Publication #CIRCULAR 860

Topics: Environmental Horticulture� |�Vines� |�Groundcover Selection� |�Selection (MG, South Florida ed.)� |�Selection (MG, North and Central Florida ed.)� |� Park Brown, Sydney G� |� Knox, Gary W�

Flowering Vines for Florida¹

Sydney Park Brown and Gary W. Knox²

Many flowering vines thrive in Florida's mild climate. By carefully choosing among this diverse and wonderful group of plants, you can have a vine blooming in your landscape almost every month of the year.

Vines can function in the landscape in many ways. When grown on arbors, they provide lovely "doorways" to our homes or provide transition points from one area of the landscape to another. Undesirable trees, posts, and poles can be transformed using vines to alter their form, texture and color. Vines can be used to soften and add interest to fences, walls and other hard spaces.

A deciduous vine grown over a patio provides a cool retreat in summer and a sunny outdoor living area in winter. Muscadine and bunch grapes are deciduous vines that fulfill that role and produce abundant fruit. For more information on selecting and growing grapes in Florida, go to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AG208 or contact your county extension office for a copy.

Vines can be used as living walls that provide privacy and/or screen unsightly views. Narrow plant beds are the perfect spot to "vertically garden" with a vine and, finally, vines attract wildlife. They provide protective cover and nesting areas for birds, and many flowering vines are rich nectar sources for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Unfortunately, despite their many uses, vines are seldom seen in most Florida landscapes. This publication will introduce you to many plants that deserve more use. Cultural information and growth characteristics for the most desirable vines for Florida are presented in Table 1. The vines listed are some of the best choices for Florida, but many others exist.

How Vines Climb

Vines need some type of support when grown upright in the landscape. To choose the right support for a particular vine, it is important to understand how the vine is going to climb. Vines can be separated into three basic types: clinging, twining, and sprawling.

Clinging vines attach to surfaces using specialized organs such as roots or tendrils. English Ivy (Hedera helix) and Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) are examples of vines with adhesive rootlets. They can be difficult to remove and and their roots can loosen mortar between bricks or concrete blocks in masonry walls. Other types of clinging vines include Passion Vine and Cross Fine that climb by means of tendrils that curl around supports in response to friction. These can be used to cover lattice, wire mesh, or other supports that spread horizonatally. Examples of vines that climb by tendrils include painted trumpet (Clytostoma callistegioides) and passion vines (Passiflora species). Cliinging vines are often used to cover solid upright surfaces such as trees, fences, or walls. Vines grown on wooden walls or fences may prevent the wood surface from drying and increase the chance of decay.

Twining vines climb by encircling upright vertical supports. They are often used on poles, vertical wires, or lattice structures. Most of these vines will spiral in only one direction characteristic of the species. If made to spiral in the opposite direction, most will not cooperate and the vine may be damaged. Twining vines include mandevilla (Mandevilla splendens), Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), and allamanda (Allamanda cathartica).

Sprawling or clamboring vines are basically shrubs that produce long runners, but have no means of attaching themselves to a support. This type of vine needs to be manually wound around a support or braced up in some way. With age, they usually become woody and self-supporting. Bougainvillea is an example of a sprawling vine.

The Planting Site

As with all plants, the "right plant/right place" rule applies. As you read through Table 1, note which area(s) of the state (north, central or south) each vine is adapted to. Vines grown in the cooler northern areas of Florida may not be adapted to warmer regions. Conversely, many tropical or subtropical vines grown in south Florida will not survive the winters of north Florida. Others are killed to the ground by frost or freeze, but sprout back from the roots the following spring.

Although Florida is typically divided into three regions (north, central, and south), the limits of each region for a given plant cannot be exactly defined. Local conditions such as elevation, bodies of water, proximity to the coast, and other factors influence temperature. Yearly fluctuations in temperature also complicate determinations.

Choose a vine according to the "function" it will play in your landscape (i.e., screening, softening, color, hummingbird attractor, etc.). Consider planting one or more vines together so that when one finishes blooming, another begins, creating a tapestry of foliage and flowers.

Consider how you will support the vine. Many vines, such as Cross Vine and Trumpet Creeper, will grow as tall as their support will allow. Foliage and flowers often are sparse near the ground and greatest near the uppermost parts of the plants. Flowering can be concentrated at any particular height by providing a "stopping point," or limiting the vertical height of a trellis to the height at which you want the most flowers.

A trellis or other support should be placed several inches away from walls. Such placement allows air movement between wall and vine, reducing humidity and possible mold and mildew growth on surfaces. Vines should be kept off the roof to avoid damage to shingles. Vines can also damage or separate siding if grown on or too close to siding-covered buildings.

Where a plant is located in a landscape will also influence how well it will tolerate cold temperatures. Tender species of vines can be planted on the south and east sides of buildings where they are more protected from cold northwestern winds. Vines planted beside buildings, or under overhangs or trees, get more protection from cold than the same vines planted in exposed locations. Plants in locations that are shaded early in the morning may also suffer less cold damage.

Site characteristics such as amount of sun or shade, salt spray, water drainage and soil type also help determine the type of vine that can be grown and its placement within the landscape.

The amount of sunlight required by vines varies, but most vines grow and flower best in full sunlight to partial shade.

The tolerance of vines to salt water and salt spray is of particular concern to home gardeners living on Florida's coast. Vines can be selected that are adapted to soils and exposures of coastal areas.

Poor soil drainage causes the roots of some vines to decay while others are adapted to wet areas. However, even tolerant species are normally nursery-produced in well-drained potting soils and may not withstand the transition to a wet site. The best solution is to correct the drainage problem if possible or to plant the vine on a mound (see below).

Like most plants, vines grow best in a slightly acid (pH 5.5-6.5), loose, well-drained soil. When conditions differ from this, select vines which are adapted rather than amending or changing soil conditions to suit a particular type of vine.

Selecting Vines

This publication emphasizes flowering vines. Table 2 provides a list of vines grown for their foliage and Table 3 provides a brief list of vines that grow as seasonal annuals.

Planting and Care

Planting

Vines can be planted throughout the year in Florida. In north and central Florida, fall and winter planting of cold hardy vines is ideal because plants have time to develop new roots and become established before they resume top growth in the spring. In southern Florida, temperatures are warm enough for year-round planting and growth. However, planting from June through September takes advantage of the rainy season and reduces the amount of irrigation needed to establish plants.

Vines are planted in the same manner as other plants. The planting hole should be dug two to three times the diameter of the root ball and as deep as the root ball is tall. In cases where the soil is hard, compacted or poorly drained, it may be advisable to dig the planting hole half as deep. Then mound the soil to cover the sides of the root ball. A plant installed in this manner may require more frequent irrigation during dry periods, but it is not likely to suffer from subsurface drainage problems.

Water the vine well while it is still in the pot, then carefully remove it from the container. Gently place the plant straight in the hole and be sure the top of the root ball is no deeper than the existing soil surface. Fill the hole with the removed native soil. Research has shown that backfilling with organic matter or other amendments is not necessary. Gently firm the soil with your hands; do not pack it with your feet. Water thoroughly. Use the extra backfill soil to construct a saucer-like basin over the root ball. This will help hold water until it drains down to the plant's roots.

Mulching

Vines should be mulched with 2 to 3-inches of organic or inorganic material. Mulches insulate the soil and roots, conserve moisture, help control weeds, add organic matter to the soil and improve the appearance of the landscape.

Recommended organic mulches include leaves, pine needles, bark and wood chips. Inorganic materials like gravel and stone can also be used. Avoid using black plastic around plants which will act as a barrier to water and gas exchange. Woven plastic fabric or other types of porous ground cloth can be used to help stabilize the soil, reduce weed penetration and conserve moisture. These materials should be covered with a mulch to prevent their degradation by sunlight and to increase the landscape's aesthetic quality.

Keep a one- to three-inch area around the stems of plants free of mulch to decrease the chance of stem rot.

Watering

The success or failure of a planting often depends on whether the plants receive adequate moisture. Vines require months to extend roots into the surrounding soil; therefore, they should be watered frequently until they are well established. Start with daily watering for a week or two, then decrease the frequency to two or three times a week. Gradually reduce watering until the plant appears to be capable of surviving on automatic irrigation or rain alone. Time of year, location in the state and the landscape, as well as rainfall amounts will influence how frequently vines need water.

Fertilization

Establish a newly planted vine by fertilizing two to three times in the first year or two. One application is normally scheduled around February (south Florida) or March (central and north Florida) and another September (north) or October (central and south). The third application can be made during the summer if needed. If the foliage is green and the plant is flowering well, fertilization can be postponed or eliminated.

The amount of fertilizer to apply will depend on the age and size of the plant. Keep in mind that the roots of most established plants, including vines, extend two to three times beyond the plant. Fertilization may be justified when faster growth is desired or when plants exhibit nutrient deficiencies. Phosphorus content of the fertilizer should be 0 - 2% P2O5. Historically, the ratio of nitrogen (N) to potassium (K2O) for landscape plants has been in the range of 1:1 to 2:1. An example of a granular landscape fertilizer which fits these criteria is 15-0-15 or something similar. Due to the prevalence of magnesium (Mg) deficiency on certain landscape plants in many parts of the state, up to 2.5 pounds Mg/1000 ft/year may be applied to address this problem. Micronutrients can be applied at specified rates and timing to achieve fertilization objectives.

Well-established vines often don't require fertilizer. Over-fertilizing induces excessive, aggressive growth and increases pruning requirements.

Pruning

Vines, by nature, are vigorous plants which will require occasional pruning to keep them in bounds and on their supports. Vines growing up walls should be kept off the roof to avoid damaging shingles.

Flowering vines should be pruned shortly after the blooming period. Later pruning may damage next year's buds and earlier pruning could remove the current season's flowers.

Your county Extension office can provide more information: http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/

References:

Some of the information in this fact sheet was previously published as: Vines for Florida by Robert J. Black, retired Professor Emeritus, Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida/IFAS, Gainesville.

Tables

Table 1.

Vines for Florida. Section of State: S = South Florida; C = Central Florida; N = North Florida; Areas in parentheses ( ) are marginal for that vine. Habit: C = Clinging by roots or tendrils; T = Twining stems; S = Sprawling - Plant has no means of attaching itself; support must be provided .

Scientific Name Common Name	Section of State	Flower Color	Flower Season	Florida Native	Persistance	Light Requirement	Salt Tolerance	Climbing Habit

Akebia quinata Five-leaf Akebia, Chocolate Vine	N	Purple-brown	Spring	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun	Unknown	T
Notes: Slender twiner with an open growth habit. Adapted only to NW Florida. Vigorous growth, requires pruning. Flowers fragrant, 1" across.
Allamanda cathartica Brown Bud Allamanda	CS	Yellow and Rose	All Year	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun/Partial shade	Moderate	T
Notes: Glossy foliage, large flowers and long blooming period. Fast grower. 'Cherries Jubilee' has rose-red flowers.
Antigonon leptopus Coral Vine	(N)CS	Pink	Summer-Fall	No o	Evergreen Perennial	Sun	None	C-tendrils
Notes: Profuse bloomer in warm months. White and red forms are available. Attracts hummingbirds. May freeze but recovers rapidly in the spring. Tolerates poor sandy soil. Use with caution - may escape cultivation.
Aristolochia littoralis Calico Flower, Pipevine	(N,C)S	White/purple- brown	Summer-Winter	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun/Shade	Unknown	T
Notes: Slender, twining stems. Flowers shaped like a pipe. Larval plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly. Use with caution, can escape cultivation.
Beaumontia grandiflora Herald's Trumpet	S	White	Early Spring	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun/Shade	Slight	T
Notes: Massive vine that needs strong support. Large, trumpet-like flowers are fragrant and about 5" long. Leaves may be 9" in length.
Bignonia capreolata Cross Vine	NC	Orange-yellow outside	Early Spring	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun/Shade	Unknown	C-tendrils
Notes: North Florida native. Readily climbs trees with small, adhesive discs on tendrils. Trumpet-shaped flowers are 2" long. Hummingbird attractor. Improved cultivars include: 'Tangerine Beauty' and 'Shalimar Red'.
Bougainvillea species Bougainvillea	CS	Red, purple, white, pink or coral	Spring-Fall	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun	Moderate	T
Notes: Showy, colorful petal-like bracts. Stems thorny. Many cultivars available with different flower colors. Blooms on new growth.
Campsis radicans Trumpet Creeper	NC	Orange-Red	Spring-Summer	Yes	Evergreen Perennial	Sun or Shade	Slight	C
Notes: Native vine that climbs tree trunks readily. Deciduous for short time in late winter. Flowers tubular, to 3" long. Hummingbird attractor. 'Flava' is a yellow cultivar. Suckers from roots and can become weedy.
Campsis grandiflora Chinese Trumpet Creeper	NC	Orange	Spring-Summer	No	Deciduous Perennial	Sun or Shade	Slight	C-roots
Notes: Asian counterpart to our native Trumpet Creeper (C. radicans), but more refined, less aggressive and less weedy. Deciduous for a short time in late winter. 'Morning Calm' is an approved cultivar with tubular, orange flowers up to 3" wide. Campsis x tagliabuana, Hybrid Trumpet Creeper, is a hybrid of C. radicans and C. grandiflora. 'Madame Galan' is an improved cultivar with 3" tubular, apricot-colored flowers.
Clerodendrum x speciosum Java Glory Vine	(C)S	Red	Spring-Fall	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun	Slight	T
Notes: A cross between Clerodendron splendens and C. thomsoniae. The showy red flower clusters are set off nicely by the dark-green leaves. The light red calyces persist after the flowers drop and extend the show of color.
Clerodendrum thomsoniae Bleeding Heart	(C)S	Red and white	Spring-Fall	No	Evergreen Perennial	Part shade	Slight	T
Notes: Flowers in large clusters. White calyx surrounds the scarlet corolla tube. 'Delectum' is a red cultivar; 'Variegata' has variegated leaves.
Clitoria ternata Butterfly Pea	(NC)S	Blue, Lavender	Spring-Fall	No	Annual (NC) or weak perennial (CS)	Sun/Part shade	Unknown	T
Notes: Well-behaved vine that blooms lovely deep blue or purple flowers almost year-round. Single and double-flowered forms exist. May die back in winter, but reseeds or rebounds from roots. Not a butterfly attractor; name is derived from shape of flower.
Clytostoma callistegioides Painted Trumpet	NCS	Lavender with purple streaks	Spring	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun	Low	C-tendrils
Notes: Glossy, dark green foliage, attractive all year. Flowers abundant in spring, 5" long and trumpet-shaped.
Combretum aubletii Monkey's Brush	S	Orange-red with yellow	Fall - Late Spring	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun	Unknown	C-roots
Notes: Vigorous, woody climber suitable for a heavy arbor, trellis or pergola. Flowers are brush-like.
Congea tomentosa Woolly Congea	(C)S	White to pink bracts	Late Winter	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun	Moderate	S
Notes: White bracts below flowers fade to pink and persist for several weeks. Attractive, fuzzy foliage. Prune after flowering to keep in bounds.
Cryptostegia grandiflora Palay Rubber Vine	(C)S	Deep lavender	Summer-Fall	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun	Moderate	T
Notes: Vigorous. 5" long leaves are dark green, glossy and leathery. Dense growth makes a good screen. Prolific bloomer. Flowers funnel form, to 3".
Cydista aequinoctialis Garlic Vine	(C)S	Lavender pink	Spring-Fall	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun/Part Shade	Low	C-tendrils
Notes: Flowers 2-3" long, funnelform, in large showy clusters. Foliage has garlic odor when crushed. Sometimes grown on tree trunks.
Decumaria barbara Climbing Hydrangea	NC	White	Spring	Yes	Deciduous Perennial	Sun/Part Shade	Unknown	C-roots
Notes: Native deciduous climber with clusters of flowers 4" across. Leaves glossy green. Flowers fragrant. Requires moisture.
Dalechampia dioscoraefolia Bow Tie Viine	(C)S	Fuchsia-coloredbracts	Year-round; Peaks in summer	No	Evergreen Perennial	Sun/Part Shade	Unknown	T
Notes: Vigorous grower and bloomer. Flat violet-pink, serrated bracts with crepe paper texture as wide as 5-6” across. Protect from cold. Blooms best when provided adequate moisture.
Dolichos lablab Hyacinth Bean, Lablab	N(CS)	Purple	Spring-Fall	No	Annual (CS) or Perennial (N)	Sun/Part Shade	Unknown	T
Notes: This vine is quite showy with its bright purple, fragrant flowers and shiny, flat purple seed pods. Some selections produce young pods and beans which are edible. Caution: dried beans are toxic. Short-lived perennial in south and central Florida; killed to the ground in north Florida, but usually rebounds.
Gelsemium sempervirens Yellow Jessamine	NCS	Yellow	Late Winter- Early Spring	Yes	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Part Shade	Low	T
Notes: Native vine producing abundant, fragrant flowers. Dark green foliage is not dense. All plant parts are poisonous. Cultivars include 'Butterscotch' (TM), 'Lemon Drop' (PPAF), and the double-flowered 'Pride of Augusta'.
Gloriosa rothschildiana Gloriosa Lily	NCS	Red and yellow-orange	Summer	No	Deciduous Perennial	Sun/Part Shade	Unknown	T
Notes: Twining vine that grasps with tendrils that form at the tips of the leaves. The flower is both spectacular and bizarre in form. Individual vines grow rapidly from a tuber, bloom then die. The vines are sparse and weak and are best combined with another vine or allowed to climb over shrubs. All parts are poisonous.
Holmskoildia sanguinea Chinese Hat Plant	(N)CS	Orange-red	Summer-Fall	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Part Shade	Unknown	S
Notes: Provide support for this clambering vine/shrub which reaches 6'. Crimson petals surrounded by orange to red calyces.
Hylocereus undatus Night Blooming Cereus	CS	White	Summer Nights	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Shade	High	C-roots
Notes: This cactus climbs on masonry walls or palm trunks. Spectacular, foot-wide blossoms open at night. Stems triangular.
Ipomoea horsfalliae Cardinal Creeper	S	Rose-purple	Winter	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Low	T
Notes: Flowers off and on throughout the year - heaviest in winter. Attractive palmately-divided foliage. 'Briggsii' is a popular cultivar
Jasminum polyanthum Pink Jasmine	CS	White	Winter	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Part Shade	Unknown	T
Notes: Well behaved vine with fine textured pinnate leaves. Clusters of very fragrant white flowers emerge from showy pink buds.
Lonicera sempervirens Trumpet Honeysuckle	NC	Orange-Scarlet, Yellow inside	Spring-Summer	Yes	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Shade	Moderate	T
Notes: Native to most of the state. The tubular, 2" long flowers are borne in clusters. Does not become a pest like L. japonica, Japanese Honeysuckle.
Mandevilla species and hybrids Mandevilla	(C)S	Pink, white, red	Spring-Fall	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Moderate	T
Notes: M. splendens has rose-pink flowers - 'Alice DuPont' is a popular cultivar; M. boliviensis has white flowers. Long blooming period. Dense foliage is dark green. Flowers are 4" wide and funnelform. Red cultivars include 'Red Velvet' and 'Red Riding Hood'.
Manettia luteorubra Candy Corn Vine, Brazilian Firecracker Vine	NCS	Red abd Yellow	Summer-Fall	No	Evergreen perennial	Part Shade	Unknown	T
Mascagnia macroptera Butterfly Vine, Brazilian Golden Vine	NCS	Yellow	Spring-Fall	No	Evergreen/ Deciduous perennial	Sun/Shade	Unknown	S
Notes: Yellow, five-petaled flowers are followed by interesting seed pods shaped like butterflies. Deciduous in north Florida.
Millettia reticulata Evergreen Wisteria	NCS	Purple	Summer	No	Evergreen/ Deciduous perennial	Sun	Unknown	T
Notes: Dark violet, pea-like flowers form in mid-summer. Not a true wistera. Semi-evergreen to deciduous in north Florida.
Pandorea jasminoides Bower Plant	CS	White and pink	Spring-Fall	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Part Shade	Low	T
Notes: Funnelform flowers are 1½ to 2" long. Their attractiveness is enhanced by the bright green, dense foliage. 'Southern Belle' is a bushier form; 'Variegata' has attractive green and white leaves.
Passiflora caerulea Blue Passion Flower	NC	White and purple	Spring-Summer	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Low	C-tendrils
Notes: This is the only passion flower that is reliably evergreen in north Florida. Leaves have five lobes. Fruit is edible but of inferior quality. 'Constance Elliot' is a cultivar with white flowers.
Passiflora coccinea Red Passion Flower	CS	Scarlet	Spring-Summer	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Low	C-tendrils
Notes: Rusty-hairy stems with leaves to 6" long and 3" wide, downy beneath. Flowers are 5" across. Fruit of inferior quality. Rapid, dense growth. May be deciduous in north Florida.
Passiflora edulis Purple Granadilla	(C)S	White and purple	Spring-Summer	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Low	C-tendrils
Notes: Glossy, deeply 3-lobed leaves are up to 8" wide. Fragrant flowers are up to 3" wide. Round, 2½" fruit has juicy, edible pulp. Rampant dense growth. Land uses: arbor, fence, trellis. May be deciduous in north Florida
Passiflora incarnata Passionvine	NCS	White and purple	Spring-Summer	Yes	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Low	C-tendrils
Notes: Native with 3-lobed leaves to 6" wide and dull above. Striking flowers are 2½" wide. Fast and dense growing. Fruit edible but of inferior quality.
Petrea volubilis Queen's Wreath	CS	Purple, White	Spring-Summer	No N	Evergreen Perennial	Sun/Part Shade	Low	T
Notes: Striking flowers are in drooping 8-12" clusters which resemble Wisteria. Petals fall, leaving the long-lasting calyx. Eight inch long leaves have sand-papery surfaces. 'V. albiflora' has white flowers.
Phaseolus coccineus Scarlet Runner bean	(N)CS	Red	Late Winter/Spring	No	Annual (N) or perennial (C,S)	Sun	Unknown	T
Notes: Cold hardy in Central and South Florida, but damaged by frosts. Sow seeds in late Fall. Flowers are fragrant and attract hummingbirds. Pods, shelled beans and flowers are edible. Sometimes forms an underground tuber from which plants quickly re-emerge and flower in following years.
Pondranea ricasoliana Ricasol Pandorea	NCS	Light pink striped with red	Spring mainly	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Low	T
Notes: Needs full sun to flower profusely. The 2" flowers are funnelform. Vigorous grower once established.
Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides (syn. Senecio confusus) Mexican Flame Vine	(C)S	Orange, darkening to reddish-orange	Spring-Summer mainly	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Shade	Moderate	T
Notes: Daisy-like flower heads are 1 to 1½" across, borne in terminal clusters. Four-inch leaves are coarsely toothed. Fast grower.
Pyrostegia venusta Flame Vine	CS	Orange	Winter	No	Deciduous Perennial	Sun	High	C-tendrils
Notes: One of the most spectacular vines, blanketing its support with dense foliage and flowers. Vigorous grower to 80'. Prune hard after flowering to control growth.
Quisqualis indica Rangoon Creeper	(C)S	White changing to pink then red	Summer	No	Deciduous Perennial	Sun/Shade	Low	T
Notes: Fragrant flowers are 2-3" long, in drooping clusters, change color as they age. Rampant grower with thorny stems. Needs space and strong support.
Rosa spp. (hybrids and cultivars) Climbing Roses	NCS	Pink, white, red, yellow	Summer-Fall	No	Deciduous or Evergreen	Sun	Moderate	S
Notes: Climbing roses that have been grown successfully in Florida include: Rosa banksiae (cultivars 'Lutea' and 'Alba'), Rosa laevigata, cultivars 'Crépuscule', 'Fellemberg', 'Maréchal Neil', 'Don Juan, 'Blossomtime', 'Catherine Nelson', 'Spectra'.
Saritaea magnifica Glow Vine	S	Rose-purple	Winter	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Part shade	Unknown	C-tendrils
Notes: Tubular flowers are 2-3" wide, in clusters. Highly ornamental vine attractive at all times. May be trained as a shrub.
Solandra maxima Chalice Vine	S	Cream, turning to dark yellow	Fall, Winter	No	Evergreen perennial	Part shade	Low	C-roots
Notes: Large flowers, up to 9" long, resemble long-stemmed goblets. They are fragrant at night. Needs a heavy trellis for support.
Solanum jasminoides Potato Vine	NCS	White	Spring-Fall	M	Evergreen perennial	Part Shade/Shade	Low	T
Notes: Leaves are shiny, about 3" long, fairly dense. Stems are slender and twining. Star-shaped flowers 1" across, are in clusters. A variegated form exists.
Solanum wendlandi Costa Rican Nightshade	(N)CS	Lavender-blue	Spring-Summer	No	Evergreen Perennial	Part Shade/Shade	Low	T
Notes: Rampant grower with stout stems and a few thorns. Leaves up to 10" long, also with a few thorns. Large flowers, 2½" across, form showy clusters up to 1' wide.
Stephanotis floribunda Bridal Bouquet	S	White	Summer	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Part shade	Unknown	T
Notes: Fragrant, tubular, waxy flowers 1-2" long are in clusters of 5-8. Four-inch long leaves are thick and glossy. Flowers used for wedding bouquets.
Strongylodon macrobotrys Jade Vine	S	Blue-green	Spring-Summer	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Part shade	Low	T
Notes: Spectacular, claw-shaped flowers in hanging clusters five feet long. Needs sturdy support. Pollinated by bats.
Symphyotrichum carolinianum Climbing Aster	N C	Lavender	Fall	Yes	Deciduous Perennial	Sun	Unknown	S
Notes: Florida native. Provide support.
Tecomanthe dendrophila New Guinea Trumpet Creeper	S	Pink and cream	Summer	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Unknown	T
Notes: Deep rose waxy flowers with cream-colored throats are produced on old stems. Handsome palmate leaves and black stems
Tecomaria capensis Cape Honeysuckle	CS	Orange-red	Spring-Winter	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Part shade	Moderate to High	T
Notes: Funnelform, 3" long flowers are in elongated racemes. Visited by hummingbirds. Leaves pinnately compound, fine texture. Often a clipped shrub.
Thunbergia alata Black-eyed Susan Vine	(N)CS	Yellow, orange, white, pink	Late Summer	No	Evergreen Perennial (CS) or Annual (NC)	Sun/Part shade	Unknown	T
Notes: Slender stems and small leaves to 3" give a delicate cover to a trellis. Flowers are 1½" wide and fragrant. Seeds spread by birds so may become weedy. Killed to the ground or completely in North Florida.
Thunbergia battiscombei Blue Glory	(N)CS	Blue-purple	Year-round	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Unknown	S
Notes: Small (4-6'), sprawling plant with glorious blue-purple flowers with yellow throats.
Thunbergia grandiflora Sky Vine, Bengal Clock Vine	(N)CS	Sky blue	Summer	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Low	T
Notes: Extremely vigorous and fast growing; has escaped cultivation in S. Florida; The 3" wide flowers are bell-shaped. Provides lush coverings for walls and fences. Usually killed to the ground each winter in N. Florida.
Trachelospermum jasminoides Confederate Jasmine	NCS	White	Spring	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun/Shade	Moderate	T
Notes: Very fragrant white flowers about ¾" across are borne in great profusion. The dark green leaves are up to 4" long. Will climb tree trunks. 'Pink Showers' is a cultivar with light pink flowers.
Vigna caracalla Snail Vine	(N)C	White with pink tones	Summer-Fall	No	Evergreen perennial	Sun	Unknown	T
Notes: Vigorous vine that produces fragrant, coiled, 1½ - 2 inch flowers.
Wisteria frutescens American Wisteria	NC	Blue-violet	Spring	Yes	Deciduous perennial	Sun/Shade	Low	T
Notes: 'Amethyst Falls' cultivar produces purple flowers in spring and sporadically through summer. This native Wisteria is more refined than the well-known Chinese Wisteria which is a rampant invasive plant in Florida and is not recommended.

Table 2.

Evergreen Vines Grown for Foliage

Cissus species Grape Ivy	(C)S	Shade	W	C. incisa is salt tolerant.
Epipremum pinnatum	CS	Shade	C	Not to be confused with E. aureum which is invasive.
Fatshedera lizei Bush Ivy	NCS	Shade	T	Variegated form available
Ficus pumila Climbing Vine	NCS	Sun/Part Shade	C	Vigorous vine; requires annual trimming once established
Hedera canariensis Algerian Ivy	N	Shade	C	Large leaves up to 6 inches; often used as a ground cover.
Hedera helix English Ivy	N	Shade	C	Many cultivars available with different sizes and shapes
Monstera spp.	(C)S	Shade	C	Ripe fruit can be eaten fresh or used in jams and jellies
Philodendron species and hybrids	(C)S	Shade	C	P. 'Autumn', P. goeldii, P. hastatum, P. speciosum

Table 3.

Flowering Vines Commonly Grown as Annuals

Clitoria ternata Butterfly Pea	NCS	Warm-season	May perform as a perennial in central and south Florida - See Table 1. Re-seeds
Dolichos lablab Hyacinth Bean	NCS	Warm-season	Show purple flowers and seeds. Often performs as a perennial in north Florida - See Table 1
Ipomoea calonyction Moon Flower	NCS	Warm-season	White flowers open at night; fragrant. Native. Re-seeds
Ipomoea pupurea and I. tricolor and hybrids Morning Glories	NCS	Warm -season	Flowers open in morning; fade late-afternoon. Pinks, blues, whites.
Ipomoea quamoclit Cypress Vine	NCS	Warm-season	Delicate foliage; red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Re-seeds aggressively.
Ipomoea x sloteri Cardinal Climber	NCS	Warm-season	Hybrid of I. quamolit and I. coccinea; hummingbird and butterfly attractor
Lathryus odorata Sweet Peas	NCS	Cool-season	Old-fashioned favorite; cold tolerant but not frost tolerant. Pastel colors
Lophospermum erubescens Creeping Gloxinia, Climbing Snapdragon	NCS	Cool-season	Red-purple, pink and white. Grows to 8'. Sun. 'Wine Red' is an improved cultivar
Mina lobata Spanish Flag/ Firecracker Vine	N,C	Warm-season	Medium sized, twining vine to 10-20'. Sun to partial shade. Red-orange flowers summer to fall.
Rhodochiton atrosanguineum Purple Bell Vine	NCS	Cool-season	Purple-black flowera with rose-pink calyces.
Phaseolus coccineus Scarlet Runner Bean	NCS	Warm-season	Often performs as a perennial in Central and South Florida; edible bean; see Table 1.
Thunbergia alata Black-eyed Susan Vine	NCS	Warm-season	May grow as a perennial in Central and South FL. Yellow, orange, white, pink cultivars; see Table 1.
Tropaeolum majus Nasturtiums	NCS	Cool-season	Select vining cultivars; edible flowers and foliage with peppery flavor. Orange, red, and yellow flowers

Footnotes

This document is Circular 860, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: April 1990. Revised: February 2001. Revised: August 2007. Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

Sydney Park Brown, Associate Professor; Gary W. Knox, Professor. Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.

Flowering Vines for Florida1