13 Flowering Vines for Year-Round Color

Flowering vines aren't just for gardeners with limited space. In addition to offering year-round color, flowering vines can be used to screen a view, shade a private spot in a garden and add beauty to a post or arbor. See some of our favorites for color through the seasons.

By: Julie Martens Forney

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Image courtesy of Felicia Feaster

Photo By: Image courtesy of SelectSeeds.com

Photo By: Ph_Stephan/Shutterstock

Photo By: Bailey Nurseries, Inc. at BaileyNurseries.com

Photo By: Peter Turner Photography/Shutterstock

Photo By: Image courtesy of Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

Photo By: Flegere/Shutterstock

Photo By: Kevinr4/Shutterstock

Photo By: Image courtesy of Monrovia.

Photo By: Bruce Leander for Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)

Dangling grape-like flower clusters adorn this vine starting in mid-spring. A mature vine in full bloom stops traffic. Flowers come in shades of lavender, white and pink. Chinese wisteria tends toward invasiveness. Explore American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) for a more tame option. Landscape use: Train on a trellis or arbor located in the garden. This vine shines grown on a pergola. Hardy in Zones 5 to 8. Note: Chinese wisteria features heavy, woody stems that can pull down supports not firmly anchored.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Perennial Sweet Pea (Lathyrus latifolius)

This vine’s blossoms resemble traditional sweet pea flowers, but lack any fragrance. Blooms appear from spring to fall frost. Vines climb by tendrils and benefit from support. Landscape use: Plant along a chain link fence to disguise it, or use it on an arbor or obelisk in the garden. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata)

Flowers release a heady chocolate fragrance and open in purple or white shades, depending on variety. Blooms appear in spring, followed by tasty fruit that ripens in late summer. This vine tolerates full shade and is considered invasive in many areas. Landscape use: Train on a sturdy structure, like a privacy fence or pergola. When growing on a privacy fence, use plastic bird netting to give vines a surface to grab. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

‘Bee’s Jubilee’ Clematis (Clematis ‘Bee’s Jubilee’)

Many large-flowered clematis hybrids flower starting in midspring. The show lingers into early summer, with more flowers (a lighter flush) appearing in fall. Clematis climb by specialized leaf tendrils. Landscape use: Train on a smaller trellis, using thin supports like bird netting or fishing line to give vines something to grab. A brushed metal trellis or obelisk also works well for clematis. Hardy in Zones 3 to 9.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

‘Tangerine Beauty’ Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’)

The orange trumpet flowers boast fragrance and beckon hummingbirds when they appear in spring and fall. Landscape use: Provide sturdy support for this hearty vine, especially in warmer zones. Try a lumber trellis, pergola or privacy fence. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9. Vines are evergreen in warmest zones but may die to the ground in winter in Zone 5.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Nugget Ornamental Hop (Humulus lupulus ‘Nugget’)

The flowers on hops are easy to overlook, appearing in early summer. They have a pine scent and beckon butterflies. Blooms form inside a dangling cluster of bracts that dry to an attractive golden hue. Vines climb by twining around supports and are considered invasive in some areas. Landscape use: Vines quickly cover a fence, wall or sturdy trellis. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle (Lonicera x brownii ‘Dropmore Scarlet’)

Pretty scarlet-orange blooms have contrasting yellow throats and cover plants from early summer until fall frosts. Flowers are a hummingbird favorite. This isn’t an invasive honeysuckle. The stem bases tend to be bare; disguise them with other 8- to 12-inch-tall plants, like coreopsis or angelonia. Landscape use: Train on a fence or trellis, or let vines grow without support as a ground cover. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia durior)

The flowers on this vine appear in early summer and are easy to miss, hidden by the large leaves. This is a vigorous vine that needs a little elbow room. Don’t try to grow it in a tiny spot. Landscape use: Thick leaves make a great privacy screen. Train along a trellis or fence. Or let leaves create a shady nook by growing it over a pergola with a bench beneath. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)

White flowers resemble lacecap hydrangea blooms and almost sparkle against the dark green leaves. Plants flower in summer. This vine is versatile, flowering in full shade or full sun. Landscape use: Vines easily cling to stone or brick walls, tree trunks or other sturdy supports. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Blue Crown Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea)

Exotic, tropical blooms make passion flower a must-have for many gardeners. Flowers start opening in late summer and continue into fall. The blooms have a fragrance that resembles pineapple guava. In warmer zones, plants need room for roots to spread. Grow it as an annual in colder zones or in a pot that’s overwintered indoors. Landscape use: Train on a trellis or fence. Hardy in Zones 6 to 9.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Orange, tubular flowers start appearing on this vine in summer and continue well into fall. Hummingbirds can’t resist these blooms. Trumpet vine is considered invasive in many areas. It sends up sprouts around the base of vines. If growing near a lawn area, simply mow over shoots as they appear. Landscape use: Provide a sturdy support if growing on a trellis. Train on a fence or use as a ground cover. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)

Sweetly fragrant white flowers appear in late summer to early fall. Vines are strong growers. Keep overall size in check by pruning to 12 inches each spring. This vine is considered invasive in many areas. Before seeds ripen and disperse, remove them with light pruning to limit spread. Landscape use: Train on a trellis, wall or fence. A perfect complement on a trellis beside a garden shed. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8. Also known as Clematis paniculata.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

Sweetly fragrant golden blooms start appearing among the evergreen leaves in late winter in warmest zones and continue the show through spring. In other regions, watch for flowers in spring, with a possible second flush in fall. Landscape use: Grow on a pergola, trellis or gazebo. Looks handsome draping a fence. Hardy in Zones 7 to 11.

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

13 Flowering Vines for Year-Round Color

Related To:

Shop This Look

Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)

Perennial Sweet Pea (Lathyrus latifolius)

Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata)

‘Bee’s Jubilee’ Clematis (Clematis ‘Bee’s Jubilee’)

‘Tangerine Beauty’ Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’)

Nugget Ornamental Hop (Humulus lupulus ‘Nugget’)

Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle (Lonicera x brownii ‘Dropmore Scarlet’)

Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia durior)

Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)

Blue Crown Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea)

Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

Growing Sweet Autumn Clematis

31 Flowering Shrubs for Year-Round Color 31 Photos

13 Stunning Passionflower Varieties 13 Photos

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Trumpet Vine Is a Beautiful But Invasive Plant

How to Choose, Plant and Grow Flowering Vines

Related Pages