search this site

Vines

Click here for printable (pdf) version

TYPE_Class	GENUS	SPECIES	VARIETY	COMMON NAME	Comments
Vine	Actinidia	arguta		Hardy Kiwi vine	Male and female needed for fruit production, except for the variety Issai . Attractive foliage. Grows to 10' - 15' . Twines.
Vine	Actinidia	chinensis		Kiwi vine	Male and female needed for fruit production. Male hardy kiwis can pollenize female A. chinensis vines. Attractive foliage. Grows to 20' - 30' ; will cover an arbor. Twines.
Vine	Actinidia	kolomikta		Arctic Beauty Kiwi vine	Male and female needed for fruit production. Attractive foliage; leaves are variegated with white and pink, esp. on male vines. Prefer partial shade. Grow to 10' - 15' . Twines.
Vine	Akebia	quinata		Japanese akebia	Very striking foliage makes a pretty pattern Interesting vanilla-scented flowers may be followed by unusual purple, sausage-shaped, edible fruit. Uncommon. Tendrils.
Vine	Aristolochia	californica		California Dutchman's Pipe	Found in Coast Range and Sierra foothills, growing on shrubs or trees in shade or North exposure.
Vine	Aristolochia	littoralis (elegans)		Giant Dutchman's Pipe
Vine	Aristolochia	macrophylla (durior)		Dutchman's Pipe	Vigorous eastern native. Tolerates shade or sun. Flowers not as visible as other species.
Vine	Bougainvillea	cultivars	many varieties avail.	Bougainvillea	'Barbara Karst' and 'San Diego Red' are two of the most vigorous, so they recover fastest from winter damage. 'Raspberry Ice' ( aka 'Hawaii' ) is a shrubby type, great for containers, which is relatively cold hardy. B. spectabilis is a purple variety which blooms reliably on the coast.
Vine	Campsis	radicans		Trumpet creeper	Rampant vine with orange flowers, very attractive to hummingbirds. Not as commonly available as C. tagliabuana 'Mme Galen'. Twines.
Vine	Campsis	tagliabuana	'Mme Galen'		A little less rampant than C. radicans, with salmon flowers. Twines.
Vine	Clematis	armandi		Evergreen clematis	Salt-sensitive; leaves burn in Davis and Woodland. Very vigorous grower with fragrant white flowers in February. Grows fine, but leaves look bad.
Vine	Clematis	hybrids	many varieties available		Roots prefer to be shaded; tops in sun or light shade. Add lots of organic material to the soil, and plant them several inches deep. Great to grow up onto other vines, or especially on climbing roses. Pruning varies by variety. Tendrils.
Vine	Clematis	montana	several varieties		The most heat-tolerant species. Great to grow up onto other vines, or especially on climbing roses. Unlike most common Clematis, blooms on old wood, so prune only after bloom is done. Tendrils.
Vine	Clianthus	puniceus		Parrot Beak	Feathery leaves, bright rose flowers. 'White Heron' is white (obviously!). Not common in the trade.
Vine	Clytostoma	callistegioides		Lavender trumpet vine	Beautiful soft-lavender flowers in late spring. Attract hummingbirds. Well-mannered vine. Subject to iron chlorosis in heavy soils and where irrigated too frequently. Tendrils.
Vine	Distictis	buccinatoria		Blood-red trumpet vine	Fast grower with showy red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Damaged by frost, and usually spends a year recovering without blooms. Also sold as Phaedranthus.
Vine	Distictis	laxiflora		Vanilla Trumpet Vine	Vanilla-scented flowers fade to nearly white. Tender here.
Vine	Distictis	X	'Rivers'	Trumpet Vine	Like D. buccinatoria except flowers are purple and plant is tender here.
Vine	Fallopia	baldschuanica		Silverlace vine	Very vigorous vine with profusion of white flowers all summer. Cut back severely every now and then. Covers a fence in one season. Not common in the trade, but occasionally available. Attracts hoverflies (beneficial). Formerly Polygonum aubertii.
Vine	Ficus	pumila (repens)		Creeping Fig	Tiny leaves for 10 - 15 years, then matures and leaves become large. Rampant; roots into supporting structure, tears apart fences, roots are invasive. 'Variegata' makes a cute house plant.
Vine	Gelsemium	sempervirens		Carolina jessamine	Golden yellow flowers in early spring. Attractive shiny green leaves look good all year. All parts are poisonous. Drought-tolerant. Well-mannered and not rampant. Can be kept on a small trellis. Twines.
Vine	Hardenbergia	violacea	'Happy Wanderer'	Lilac vine	Vivid royal purple flowers in winter and early spring. Freeze may damage; usually recovers. Killed in 1990; recovered from roots in 1998. White, pink forms available. H. comptoniana is more tender and not recommended. Twines.
Vine	Hedera	canariensis		Algerian ivy	Large, shiny leaves. Becomes rampant and invasive; roots into structures. Variegated form available.
Vine	Hedera	helix		English ivy	Small to medium, shiny leaves. Becomes rampant and invasive; roots into structures. Smaller-leaved types come in hundreds of varieties; great as filler in containers, or for a ground cover in confined situation. Good houseplants; shower them off periodically to control spider mites when grown indoors.
Vine	Humulus	lupulus		Hop vine	Extremely fast-growing to 30' +. Once grown commercially in the Sacramento area, the female flowers are used to flavor beer. Dies to the ground; resprouts from roots. Availability limited; ask in the bareroot season (winter).
Vine	Ipomoea	acuminata		Perennial Morning-glory	Beautiful sky blue flowers. Perennial vine: dies to the ground each winter, regrowing very rapidly in early April. (invasive in mild-winter areas). Twines.
Vine	Jasminum	mesnyi (primulinum)		Primrose jasmine	Primrose-yellow popcorn-like flowers in late winter. Not fragrant. Vigorous, arching growth habit, like a large shrub. Tie up. J. nudiflorum (Winter jasmine) is very similar.
Vine	Jasminum	nudiflorum		Winter jasmine	Primrose-yellow flowers in late winter. Vigorous, arching growth habit, like a large shrub. Tie up. Availability limited; J. mesnyi is a good substitute.
Vine	Jasminum	polyanthum		Winter or Pink jasmine	Rampant, but worth it for incredibly fragrant white flowers (name comes from pink buds) in March through April.early May in cool springs. Cut back severely after bloom if it has gotten overgrown. Can be forced into bloom in winter in pots by bringing them indoors. Twines.
Vine	Jasminum	sambac		Arabian jasmine	The true jasmine, or Pikake. Tender here, so bring it inside in winter.
Vine	Lonicera	heckrotii	'Gold Flame'	Gold Flame honeysuckle	Moderate grower to 10' with gold and yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds. Easily confined to a trellis by pruning. Twines.
Vine	Lonicera	hildebrandiana		Giant Burmese honeysuckle	Vigorous vine to 15' , with very large fragrant white blossoms which age to gold. Rare in the trade because it is difficult to propagate (sometimes grafted onto L. japonica, so watch for suckers!).
Vine	Lonicera	japonica	'Halliana'	Hall's Japanese honeysuckle	Rampant vine with fragrant white flowers (darkening yellow as they age) throughout the summer. Attracts hummingbirds. Can be pruned severely. Twines.
Vine	Lonicera	sempervirens	'Blanche Sandman'	Trumpet honeysuckle	Fast growing vine with scarlet blossoms with ivory throats, blooms from early summer through frost. Hummingbirds love this one!
Vine	Lonicera	sempervirens	'John Clayton'	Trumpet honeysuckle	Orange-yellow to scarlet flowers, scarlet fruit. Attracts hummingbirds and songbirds. Not rampant.
Vine	Lonicera	x brownii	'Dropmore Scarlet'	Scarlet trumpet honeysuckle	Moderate grower to 10' with red and yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds. Twines.
Vine	Macfadyena	unguis-cati		Yellow cat's claw	Grows fast, clings even to stucco or brick by tiny tendrils. Buttery-yellow flowers for a short period in spring. Incredibly heat and drought-tolerant (see the planting across the street from our nursery--never irrigated!). Not common, but occasionally available.
Vine	Mandevilla	laxa		Chilean jasmine	Pretty heart-shaped leaves; white flowers smell like gardenia. Blooms all summer on new growth. Will grow and bloom in shade. Unlike other Mandevillas, it is cold hardy. Availability limited.
Vine	Mandevilla	species and hybrids		Mandevilla	Formerly classed as Dipladenia. Most are not hardy here; M. laxa is an exception. Showy red, pink, or white flowers.
Vine	Muehlenbeckia	axillaris		Miniature Wire Vine	This form is actually a ground cover, creeping across the ground to make a tidy little mat. But otherwise it looks exactly like M. complexa.
Vine	Muehlenbeckia	complexa		Miniature Wire Vine	Vigorous, wiry vine which gets quite dense. Not really attractive, but tough. Not common in the trade.
Vine	Pandorea	jasminoides		Bower vine	Glossy leaves, and fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers in pink or white. Freeze may damage, but recovers. Twines. 'Lady Di' , 'Rosea' , 'Alba' are selected forms.
Vine	Parthenocissus	quinquefolia		Virginia creeper	Shiny, heavily veined leaves (with five leaflets) turn nice color in fall. Roots into structures. Protect from hot afternoon sun.
Vine	Parthenocissus	tricuspidata		Boston ivy	Shiny, large lobed or divided leaves (three lobes or leaflets) turn nice color in fall. Roots into structures. Protect from hot afternoon sun. 'Veitchii' is a preferred form with smaller leaves on a less rampant vine.
Vine	Passiflora	actinia		Passion flower	Fragrant flowers have white petals, long frilly purple filaments. Plants will resprout from temp's as low as 20F.
Vine	Passiflora	caerulea	'Spyder'	Passion flower	Especially hardy and vigorous form of P. caerulea. Flowers have white and purple crown with white centers.
Vine	Passiflora	citrina		Passion flower	Soft yellow, 1" flowers. Hardy to 20 - 25F.
Vine	Passiflora	edulis	'Frederick'	Passion fruit	Large, fragrant flowers are white with a purplish center and frilled filaments. Outstanding fruit and a vigorous plant, but tender. Fruit must ripen and fall naturally.
Vine	Passiflora	edulis	'Nancy Garrison'	Passion fruit	Small, frilled greenish white and purple flowers, edible black skinned fruit.
Vine	Passiflora	edulis	'Black Knight'	Passion fruit	2" white flowers, large excellent fruit. Self-fruitful. Hardy to 20 - 25F, fairly compact.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Allspice'	Passion flower	Big, stunning flowers 4" across, lavender with purple filaments banded white and dark purple. Very fragrant.Dies to ground below 25F but resprouts vigorously.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Blue Horizon'	Passion flower	Deep blue and white flowerson a vigorous vine. Hardy to 20 - 25F.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Coral Glow'	Passion flower	Flowers pendant, up to 4" across. "Hot neon pink, cooling as the flowers age."[Suncrest] 20-25ÄF.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Coral Seas'(jamesonii)	Passion flower	Coral pink passion flower
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Donna Brigham'	Passion flower	HOT, hot pink with a little tuft of neon purple in the center, and long filaments.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Elizabeth'	Passion flower	Spectacular purple flowers with twisty filaments, bright green shiny leaves. One of the nicest plants overall. Hardy to 20 - 25F.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Eynesford's Gem'	Passion flower	Very vigorous, but frost limits size. Small white flowers. Tendrils.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Gloria Moreno' .	Passion flower	Vibrant deep pink flowers. Hardy to 25F, probably lower.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Indigo Dream'	Passion flower	White petals, dark violet filaments. Flowers remain open for a few days (most passion flowers only last a day). 20 - 25F.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Lavender Lady'	Passion flower	One of the best. Continuous bloom; glowing 3 - 4" flowers are reddish violet to lavender, with nearly white centers. Hardy to 20F or lower. P. amethystina x P. caerulea.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Quazar'	Passion flower	Pure white flowers on a vigorous grower with dark green leaves. Hardy to 20 - 25F.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Susan Brigham'	Passion flower	Rampant grower with very large leaves. Huge deep rose-pink flowers.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Victoria '	Passion flower	Violet purple flowers, slightly darker than 'Lavender Lady' (they are very similar varieties). Foliage damaged below 25F, but quickly recovers.
Vine	Passiflora	hybrid	'Witchcraft'	Passion flower	Darkest purple flowers, very hardy.
Vine	Passiflora	jamesonii	'Coral Seas'	Passion flower	Very vigorous with coral red flowers. Damaged below 27F but resprouts.
Vine	Passiflora	manicata	'Escobar'	Passion flower	Vivid red petals with blue filaments. 20 - 25F.
Vine	Passiflora	mixta	'Galupa'	Passion flower	Vibrant pink, tubular flowers.
Vine	Passiflora	mollissima		Passion fruit	'Fearsomely vigorous' [Suncrest] but tender; seriously damaged at 25F. Bright pink flowers, yellow edible fruit up to 6" long.
Vine	Passiflora	sanguinolenta		Passion flower	Very vigorous, but frost limits size. Flared coral flowers. Tendrils.
Vine	Passiflora	sanguinolenta	'Maria Rosa'	Passion flower	Coral 1 1/2" flowers on a moderate grower.
Vine	Passiflora	vitifolia		Passion fruit	Also sold as P. coccinea. Bright red flowers. Will bear very good fruit if hand pollinated [source: MBN]; then let them ripen until wrinkled.
Vine	Passiflora	X	'jamesonii'	Passion flower	Very vigorous, but frost limits size. Coral pink flowers. Tendrils.
Vine	Passiflora	x alatocaerulea ( Pfordtii )		Passion flower	-- a hybrid between P. alata and P. caerulea. Flower sepals alternating white and violet, with purple center. Damaged below 25F. Now called P. x belottii
Vine	Passiflora	x caerulea-racemosa	'Eynesford's Gem'	Passion flower	Dwarf to 6' with mauve pink flowers. Hardy to 20F.
Vine	Rosa	banksia	'Alba Plena'	White Lady Banks' rose	Very vigorous, nearly thornless rose that can grow to 30' or more. Masses of white flowers for a short period in spring. Nearly evergreen. Tie up or let it scramble into a tree.
Vine	Rosa	banksia	'Lutea'	Yellow Lady Banks' rose	Very vigorous, nearly thornless rose that can grow to 30' or more. Masses of yellow flowers for a short period in spring. Sweet scent. Nearly evergreen. Tie up or let it scramble into a tree.
Vine	Rosa	hybrids		Climbing Roses	Many varieties to choose from. Most need full sun; Cecille Brunner Climber is ok in partial shade.
Vine	Solanum	jasminoides		White Potato vine	Vigorous but not rampant vine that s nearly always in bloom. Open habit. Tie up. Variety 'Maricela' has violet-tinged flowers.
Vine	Solanum	rantonnetii		Purple Potato vine	Purple flowers in summer and fall. Freeze limits size. Can grow as shrub. Tie up.
Vine	Sollya	heterophylla		Australian bluebell creeper	Small, with dense, tiny, shiny leaves. Can be used as a ground cover. Grows slowly to about 6' . Nodding blue flowers in summer; 'Alba' has white flowers. Quite shade-tolerant. Twines.
Vine	Tecoma	capensis		Cape honeysuckle	Formerly Tecomaria. Shrubby vine with bright orange-red flowers (a yellow form is available) in fall and early winter, until frost kills it back. Hummingbirds love flowers. Recovers even from hard freezes. Tie up or grow as a shrub.
Vine	Thunbergia	alata		Blackeyed Susan Vine
Vine	Thunbergia	alata	'Charles Star'		Iridescent gold and black flowers.
Vine	Trachelospermum	asiaticum		Asian jasmine	Nearly always grown as a ground cover. Hardly ever flowers; grown for shiny leaves and exceptional durability. Can be tied up as a vine, but doesn t twine.
Vine	Trachelospermum	jasminoides		Star jasmine	Can grow as a shrub or ground cover, but naturally a twining vine. Super fragrant flowers in May and June. Tolerates heat, cold, sun, shade, poor soil, drought or watering.
Vine	Vigna	caracalla		Snail Vine	Fast-growing to 10' - 12' ; fragrant flowers--pale purple with darker markings-- resemble twisted snail shells. Killed to the ground by freezing weather, but resprouts from roots.
Vine	Vitis	californica		Grapes	Our native grapes have seedy but very sweet, edible fruit. Some selected varieties in the trade have showy fall color.
Vine	Vitis	vinifera		Grapes	Fast-growing cover for fence or arbor. Many varieties available. Fruit is messy if not harvested, but some can be pruned to reduce fruit production.
Vine	Wisteria	floribunda		Japanese Wisteria	Very fast-growing, large vines with elegant purple or white flowers in early spring. Very fragrant. Blooms best when irrigated infrequently. Prune hard just after bloom. Japanese Wisteria needs full sun.
Vine	Wisteria	floribunda	'Black Dragon'		This variety has dark purple flowers.
Vine	Wisteria	floribunda	'Issai Prefecture'		white Japanese Wisteria
Vine	Wisteria	floribunda	'Longissima Alba'		white Japanese Wisteria
Vine	Wisteria	floribunda	'Longissima Kyushaku'		This variety has the longest clusters of all--up to 6' long! Blooms best when irrigated infrequently. Full sun.
Vine	Wisteria	sinensis		Chinese Wisteria	Very fast-growing, large vines with elegant purple or white flowers in early spring. Very fragrant. Blooms best when irrigated infrequently. Prune hard just after bloom. Chinese Wisteria will bloom in part shade.
Vine	Wisteria	sinensis	'Beni Fugi'		Pink flowers
Vine	Wisteria	sinensis	'Caroline'		Violet purple variety of Chinese Wisteria.
Vine	Wisteria	sinensis	'Cooke's Purple'		aka 'Cooke's Special'. Very fast-growing, large vine with fragrant purple flowers which open all at once in early spring. This variety often has a few blooms in summer as well. Blooms best when irrigated infrequently. Prune hard just after bloom. Chinese Wisteria will bloom in part shade.
Vine	Wisteria	sinensis	'Texas White'		White Chinese Wisteria
Vine	Wisteria	venusta	'Alba'		White Silky Wisteria. Silky Wisteria will bloom in part sun.
Vine	Wisteria	venusta	'Shiro Kapitan'		12-15" white panicles
Vine	Wisteria	venusta	'Violacea'		Purple Silky Wisteria
Annual vines	Asarina	species		Climbing Snapdragon; Chickabiddy	Twining annual vines to about 5 - 10 with tubular flowers that are usually pink, lavender, red; sometimes white. Some forms may be hardy enough to resprout as perennials.
Annual vines	Dolichos	lablab		Hyacinth bean	Pretty purple bean/pea flowers on a fast-growing summer annual. Easy to grow from seed.
Annual vines	Ipomoea	species		Morning glory	Beautiful flowers on summer annual vines. I. tricolor and I. nil are the familiar summer morning glories. Both may reseed prolifically. I. alba is Moonflower, with fragrant flowers that open at night. I. quamoclit is Cardinal Climber, with feathery divided leaves and bright red tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. Easy to grow from seed.
Annual vines	Lathyrus	species		Sweet Pea	L. latifolius is a perennial relative of the common sweet pea. Easy to grow from seed.
Annual vines	Phaseolus	species		Scarlet Runner bean	Showy red bean/pea shaped flowers on a vigorous summer annual vine. Young bean pods are edible, but they toughen quickly. Shelled beans can be cooked like lima beans. Easy to grow from seed.
Annual vines	Thunbergia	alata		Orange Clock vine; Blackeyed Susan vine	Annual vine with bright orange, yellow, or white flowers with purple-black throats.
Annual vines	Thunbergia	gregorii		Orange Clock vine	Bright orange flowers on a fast-growing annual vine to 6' +. Very showy, easy to grow. May overwinter. T. alata is similar, with bright orange, yellow, or white flowers with purple-black throats.
Annual vines	Tropaeolum	species		Nasturtium	T. majus climbers can be tied up to 6' , have attractive leaves and showy flowers. Flowers and foliage have spicy scent. Look best here in summer in light shade; often overwinter. T. peregrinum is the Canary Bird flower, with lobed leaves and fringed yellow flowers; grows to 10' +. Easy to grow from seed.
Vine ground covers	Hedera	helix		English ivy	Small to medium, shiny leaves. Becomes rampant and invasive; roots into structures. Smaller-leaved types come in hundreds of varieties; great as filler in containers, or for a grouind cover in confined situation. Good houseplants; shower them off periodically to control spider mites when grown indoors.
Vine ground covers	Lonicera	japonica	'Halliana'	Hall's Japanese honeysuckle	Rampant vine with fragrant flowers throughout the summer. Can be pruned severely or mowed occasionally. Shade tolerant. Twines.
Vine ground covers	Sollya	heterophylla (fusiformis)		Australian bluebell creeper	Small, with dense, tiny, shiny leaves. Can be used as a ground cover. Grows slowly to about 6' tall when supported; 1' - 2' as a ground cover. Nodding blue flowers in summer; 'Alba' has white flowers. 'Boddy's Choice' is a very slow-growing type grown as a shrub or ground cover. Quite shade tolerant, will grow under Eucalyptus trees. Twines.
Vine ground covers	Trachelospermum	asiaticum		Asian jasmine	Nearly always grown as a ground cover. Hardly ever flowers; grown for shiny leaves and exceptional durability. Shade tolerant.
Vine ground covers	Trachelospermum	jasminoides		Star jasmine	Can grow as a shrub or ground cover, but naturally a twining vine. Super fragrant flowers in May and June. Tolerates heat, cold, sun, shade, poor soil, drought or watering.