Is your backyard missing something? Often, vertical outdoor space (like a block wall) is left blank. That’s a real shame, not only because a long run of fence is uninteresting to look at, but because of the wasted opportunity. Flowering vines take these forgotten spaces and turn them into beautiful features.
Why Should You Plant Flowering Vines?
Vines are useful for a number of reasons. They provide additional gardening space to small backyards and side yards by making use of vertical surfaces. Drab walls and fences become gorgeous displays that add a sense of nature and seclusion to urban yards.
Grown on a trellis, they obscure eyesores in the yard. Further, vines add privacy and texture to outdoor entertaining spaces. Vines that flower take all that a step further with seasonal blooms that accent the overall landscape design.
Many plants are toxic to humans and pets, so research before planting. Check toxicity for humans using University of California’s database or use the ASPCA’s database to find safe plants for yards with pets.
Read on to get the best flowering vines for Atlanta!
Atlanta’s Garden Zone
Climate determines which perennials will survive the winter and which ones you should probably avoid planting (or plan to overwinter indoors in pots or otherwise protect).
For the Atlanta area, the garden zone falls between 7 and 8. So, choose outdoor perennial vines that are hardy to at least zone 7 and they should come back in the spring. Otherwise, enjoy potted vines on patios and bring them inside during freezing temperatures or grow them as annuals.
1. Honeysuckle
Zone: 4-9
Light Exposure: Full Sun
One of the most popular flowering vines, honeysuckle blooms with clusters of fragrant, tubular flowers. Available in cream, yellow, orange-pink, and magenta, the flowers add a wonderful splash of color through the growing season. Additionally, this eyecatcher attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies.
2. Mandevilla
Zone: 10-11
Light Exposure: Full Sun
These tropical, deer-resistant vines bloom with gorgeous white, pink, or red flowers. They are great in containers and are considered a frost-tender perennial. They do require protection to survive Georgia’s winter. But many homeowners grow them as annuals and enjoy them in outdoor entertaining spaces or on petite trellises.
3. Sweet Pea
Zone: 7-10
Light Exposure: Full Sun
Undoubtedly, sweet peas are among the most popular of flowering vines. Beyond their bright pink, blue, white, and scarlet colors, there is another benefit: they smell amazing! And they look great cut in a bouquet as well.
4. Wisteria
Zone: 4-9
Light Exposure: Full Sun
While lavender is usually the color associated with wisteria, it actually comes in a range of options including white, blue, purple, and pink. The vines are vigorous and require frequent pruning to be kept in check. They grow well up the sides of structures and across pergolas and trellises.
5. Clematis
Zone: 4-9
Light Exposure: Part Sun to Full Sun
Looking for something unique and showy? Clematis vines boast bright, eye-catching flowers in white, blue, purple, pink, and burgundy. Some even have patterns of more than one color on each petal. Further, when clematis blooms fade, they leave behind interesting green whorl-shaped seed pods.
6. Trumpet Vine
Zone: 4-9
Light Exposure: Full Sun
Trumpet vine stuns with gorgeous blooms in bright, tropical colors of red, orange, and yellow. This vine is vigorous and grows with aerial roots that cling to anything within reach. For instance, it is perfect for an arbor out in the yard but should not be planted against a home’s siding, which it could damage. If you like hummingbirds, this plant is a great way to attract them!
7. Star Jasmine
Zone: 8-10
Light Exposure: Part Sun to Full Sun
Looking for flowers that smell great and look pretty doing it? Star Jasmine is extraordinarily fragrant and sports delicate white flowers that contrast with its glossy, green leaves. These plants are well-suited to growing on a trellis. Further, their maintenance is easy-gentle training for shape and minimal pruning produces great results.
8. Scarlet Runner Bean
Zone: 7-11
Light Exposure: Full Sun
Scarlet runner beans were long ago used as a food source, but other varieties have replaced them over time. However, the plants are still chosen for their broad, heart-shaped leaves and the dramatic red color of their flowers. They are quick-growing and look beautiful climbing a trellis.
9. Climbing Rose
Zone: 4-10
Light Exposure: Full Sun
Undoubtedly a garden classic, climbing roses add charm everywhere they bloom. Further, they are available in an incredible variety of colors and petal patterns. For best results, deadhead spent flowers to encourage new ones and prune back damaged foliage.
10. Moonflower
Zone: 10-12
Light Exposure: Full Sun
Absolutely a unique choice, moonflowers open at night instead of during the day. The pale white flowers are trumpet-shaped and contrast brightly against their green leaves. This plant is annual in most climates, so it has to be replaced regularly. However, it grows quickly and does well in containers.
11. Carolina Jessamine
Zone: 7-9
Light Exposure: Part Sun to Full Sun
This Southern classic bursts with sunny, yellow blooms and is very hardy. Interestingly, this plant is the state flower of South Carolina. Regular pruning keeps the vine trained and tidy.
12. Climbing Snapdragon Vine
Zone: 9-10
Light Exposure: Part Sun to Full Sun
Snapdragon vines have trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and come in a range of colors. Pink, blue, purple, and white varieties are available. Furthermore, it is a hardy plant that is resistant to many plant diseases.
13. Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Zone: 10-11
Light Exposure: Full Sun
This plant is famous for its bright marigold-yellow flowers. However, it is also available in white, orange, and newly developed pink varieties. Moreover, this plant grows well in containers and hanging baskets.
14. Nasturtium
Zone: 9-11
Light Exposure: Full Sun
A classic summer staple, nasturtium flowers come in colors ranging from yellow to red, but vibrant orange is the most common. They have interesting, rounded leaves and are sometimes planted along vegetable gardens to dissuade pests. Usually it is grown as an annual.
15. Cypress Vine
Zone: 11-12
Light Exposure: Full Sun
Beautiful star-shaped flowers bloom along this vine and are usually red in color. Interestingly, the foliage of this plant is unexpected: instead of simple, rounded leaves the plant has a delicate texture that looks like pine needles. And hummingbirds and butterflies love this plant!
16. Morning Glory
Zone: 2-11
Light Exposure: Full Sun
A cottage garden staple, morning glories bloom in white, purple, and blue. Importantly, they are very vigorous growers and will spread in the yard. Though beautiful, they do require maintenance to keep them in check.
17. Crossvine
Zone: 6-9
Light Exposure: Full Sun
Crossvine flowers are trumpet-shaped and shaded from yellow to scarlet along the petals. They can be vigorous growers and spread along suckers. Consequently, they require maintenance to keep them from taking over the yard.
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