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17 fast-growing flowering vines that add privacy and cottage-garden charm fast
Add a touch of maximalist beauty to your garden with these lush vining plants
Nothing takes an unsightly fence or bare shed wall and makes it look better than a wild, lush expanse of garden plants covering it over – bonus if the plants are in flower, and pollinators are buzzing around. It gives the space new life – literally.
Vines creeping up over a pergola or arch can add shade and a sense of privacy, helping turn an open space into a quiet nook without adding walls or other complicated structures. And many are super easy to care for.
A lot of vining plants grow quickly and love the sun, though there are partial-shade options too. (If you’re looking for a slower-growing plant for a shadier area, climbing hydrangea is practically made for you.)
Before you head outside, take a look at our top picks below:
Clematis (Clematis spp.)
With more than 300 species, there are many different kinds of clematis. Some bloom in spring, some in the autumn, and some types bloom all season long.
The flowers come in every colour from palest pink to deep purple. They like their heads in full sun but prefer their roots to be shaded, so plant other perennials at their base to help shelter the roots.
Sun Exposure: full sun
Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
This genus of hardy perennial vines all have gorgeous tube-shaped flowers. Pollinators like bees will flock to them.
Just make sure you choose Lonicera sempervivens or Lonicera periclymenum, not the invasive Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), which will take over your entire garden.
Sun Exposure: partial shade to full sun
Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)
Wisteria is cold-hardy perennial with lovely, draping flowers that resemble clusters of grapes. The lilac blue flowers are sweetly scented and appear in mid-spring.
Be aware: They grow incredibly fast and need a lot of attention to keep from going into unwanted places. Avoid the Chinese (Wisteria sinensis) and Japanese (Wisteria floribunda) species when possible: they've become invasive in many gardens. The Wisteria frutescens is much easier to manage.
Sun Exposure: partial shade to full sun
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
This perennial vine has papery bracts, or flowers, in electric pink or purple. In the UK, it's best suited to container growing and needs protection from the frost.
Sun Exposure: full sun (at least 6 hours)
Helpful Tidbits: Avoid potting soil with peat moss because it retains moisture and will cause root rot.
Climbing Roses (Rosa spp.)
There are a number of rose varieties that form climbing vines instead of bushes, from wild roses to heirloom and hybrid roses, to modern varieties. Find one that suits your garden, and you'll enjoy beautiful blooms for years.
Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
This delicate-looking perennial vine has creamy white flowers with the most heavenly sweet scent.
Best-suited for south-facing walls and fences in warm, sheltered gardens, this plant provides year-round interest and can grow up to 9 meters long.
Sun Exposure: bright, and indirect light
Soil Condition: well-drained / slightly acidic to neutral
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
You can find trumpet vines in a variety of colours that include shades of orange, red, and yellow. The vine includes green leaves and up to 4-inch-long trumpet-shaped blossoms that thrive throughout the summer.
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Helpful Tips: Deadhead trumpet vine unless you want it to spread through reseeding. This plant grow aggressively and can easily take over your garden if they do not receive regular maintenance.
Purple Bell Vine (Rhodochiton atrosanguineus)
The tube-like flowers on these sprawling vines can grow up to three inches each season. These vines can span up to 10 feet long too. If you're working with a small space, grow them vertically by planting them in box planters or a hanging basket.
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Sweetpea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet peas have a lovely, mild scent and come in colours ranging from white to pale pink and salmon to blue. Plant them in the spring from seed; they don't like super-hot weather, so they often fade by summer.
They like full sun, especially in the Northern US region, but some shade is tolerable. In some cases, it's preferable in hotter parts of the South. Do keep away from pets: This is plant is toxic to them.
Try to avoid the scentless Lathyrus latifolius if possible, which can become more invasive.
Sun Exposure: partial to full sun
Japanese Hydrangea Vine (Hydrangea hydrangeoides)
Once thought of as a wholly different species (and labeled Schizophragma hydrangeoides or False Hydrangea, which it's still sometimes sold as) this plant has very recently been reclassified as a true hydrangea.
The bracts (petals) are single and come in pink or white, whereas climbing hydrangeas only come in white. This flowering vine tolerates shade, though it needs some light to bloom.
Sun Exposure: partial shade to full sun
Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)
This shade-lover boasts creamy white flowers all summer long. Its vines are very heavy, so it needs something sturdy to climb or lean against. It's very slow-growing, so be patient as it can take years to establish.
Sun Exposure: partial shade to full sun
Soil Condition/pH: moist, well-drained / slightly acidic
Helpful Tips: The plant bloom on the previous year's growth (aka old wood). Prune plants directly after reaching maturity.
Cup and Saucer Vine (Cobaea scandens)
These pretty flowers begin as burgeoning green buds that transform into a bell-shaped flower with violet stripes. It finally turns a royal purple hue before dying. Place in a sunny spot to guarantee blooming — they may not flower in too much shade.
Sun exposure: full sun
Climbing nasturtium
Also called monk's cress, vining nasturtium, Indian cress, and garden nasturtium, this beautiful plant is fast-growing and even edible (it adds a pop of colour to summer salads).
The vines love wrapping or climbing up supportive structures like trellises and fences.
Sun exposure: full sun
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
You can find trumpet vines in a variety of colours that include shades of orange, red, and yellow. The vine includes green leaves and up to 4-inch-long trumpet-shaped blossoms that thrive throughout the summer.
Deadhead trumpet vine unless you want it to spread through reseeding. This plant grows aggressively and can easily take over your garden if it does not receive regular maintenance.
Sun exposure: full sun
Passionflower vines
Bumblebees adore the pretty flowers on this vine. Whether you call these delicate flowering vines maypops, garden nasturtium, vining nasturtium, Indian cress, or monk's cress, they will catch a lot of attention in any garden setting.
Sun exposure: full to partial sun
Scarlet runner bean
This beautiful heirloom vine has gorgeous red blooms. Even better, the beans are edible. You can eat them fresh (when small) or let them stay on the vine and get big, then harvest for drying at the end of the season. It's a fast grower, so give it plenty of room.
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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