The Best Flowering Vines to Grow in Washington State
There are many reasons why people choose to grow vines in the northwest United States. One reason is that they provide privacy. Another reason is that they make an excellent vineyard trellis. And another reason is that there are plenty of varieties of vines to choose from.
When you choose to plant a vineyard, it is essential to select the proper variety. For example, some grapes require full sun, while others prefer partial shade. Some vines do well in areas with little soil, whereas others thrive in rich loam soils.
Native Washington State flowering vines have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years in this region and have already adapted to the conditions here. They are, therefore, much better suited to thrive in our environment than imported varieties.
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Honeysuckles (Lonicera species) are native to eastern Southern America. They are deciduous shrubs or small trees with showy flowers. The trumpet-shaped blooms appear in spring and summer. Trumpets can be grown as single plants or planted in masses for an attractive hedge.
The best time to plant honeysuckles is early spring before the ground freezes. Plant them in full sun and moist but well-drained soil. After planting, water regularly until the roots begin to emerge. Once established, honeysuckles will tolerate drought and neglect.
The most common type of honeysuckle is Lonicera sempervirens, also known as Japanese honeysuckle. It has white flowers on long stems and grows up to 10 feet tall. This is one of the easiest honeysuckles to grow.
Another popular type of honeysuckle in the Pacific Northwest is Lonicera maackii, which has pinkish-red flowers on short stalks. It grows about 4 feet high and needs more care than other honeysuckles.
You can find these and other honeysuckles at local nurseries. Make sure to ask your Pacific Northwest is Lonicera maackii, which has pinkish-red flowers on short stalks. It grows about 3 feet tall and needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Other types include: Lonicera flava, Lonicera japonica, Lonicera hypoglauca, Lonicera tatarica, and Lonicera xyloste.
Morning Glory
Many gardeners love morning glory vines because they produce beautiful flowers throughout the year. Morning glories are easy to grow and very forgiving when it comes to pruning. They are also quite colourful and add beauty to any landscape.
There are several different types of morning glory vines. Most are annuals and bloom only once during the growing season. Others are perennials and bloom again every year. Still, others flower continuously all year round.
There are two main types of morning glory vines: trailing and climbing. Trailing morning glories are usually shorter than climbers and tend to trail along the ground. Climbing morning glories climb using their aerial roots. These roots extend horizontally from the stem and help the vine anchor itself into the soil.
Trailing morning glories are more accessible to grow than climbing ones. It would help if you started seeds indoors two weeks before the last frost date. Transplant outside after the danger of frost has passed.
Climbing morning glories need to be started outdoors after the first frost. Space them 12 inches apart and allow them to grow until they reach 5 feet tall. Then cut back the tops so that they form a ball shape. As the vines continue to grow, tie them to trellises or fences.
Climbing morning glories are often used as hedges or screens. You may want to pinch off some tips to keep them compact.
Climbing Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are large flowering shrubs that have been cultivated since ancient times. They are easily propagated from seed and make excellent additions to any garden. Wide varieties are available today, including double-flowered hydrangeas, fragrant hydrangeas, and miniature hydrangeas.
Hydrangeas require little maintenance and thrive in almost any climate. They do not like hot weather and will die if temperatures exceed 85 degrees F for extended periods. If you live in an area with cold winters, you may want to plant hydrangeas in containers and bring them inside during winter.
Sow seeds directly into the ground in early spring to propagate hydrangeas. Keep moist, but don’t let them sit in water. Seeds germinate best between 60-70 degrees F. Once plants begin to sprout, cover them with 1/2 inch of mulch. Remove weeds as soon as they appear.
To grow more enormous hydrangeas, dig up rooted clumps and replant them in new locations. This will give your hydrangeas more room to spread out. When planting, use a hole twice as deep as the rootball diameter. Add a layer of organic matter such as compost or leaf mould before filling it with dirt. Water well and wait for the plants to establish themselves.
If you wish to grow hydrangeas in pots, select a container at least three times the rootball size. Fill the pot about half full with good quality potting mix. Plant the rootball directly into the center of the pot. Cover the top of the rootball with a thin layer of soil. Water regularly and fertilize when needed.
American Wisteria
Wisteria is one of those rare plants that people love to hate. And why wouldn’t you? Most people don’t like it because they think it looks messy. But there’s something about wisteria that makes it irresistible. Its flowers smell heavenly, and they look beautiful against a backdrop of green leaves. Plus, wisteria is easy to grow and requires little maintenance.
The American wisteria flower vine can be grown from seed or purchased as a potted plant. It proliferates and needs only occasional watering. The most important thing to remember when growing this plant is to provide adequate sunlight. Wisterias prefer bright light, so place them near windows or under lights.
You can also buy wisteria plants in bloom. These are usually called “florists wisteria” and are much easier to care for than seedlings. Trim the stems every few weeks to maintain their shape.
Atlantic Pigeon Wing
Clitoria marina (Atlantic Pigeon Wing) is a small perennial plant with purple-blue pea-like blooms, about 2 inches wide, with a white centre. They bloom from June through August. The flower heads are produced in a cluster at the end of each stem. Each head contains three petals and three sepals. The petals are pinkish-white, while the sepals are bright yellow. The fruit pods split open, releasing seeds.
- Grows up to 90cm high and 60cm wide and has leaves that grow up to 4 feet long (1m), which makes it easy to spot from far away.
- It performs best in full sun or partial shade in sandy soil.
- There were no major health or pest issues.
- Propagate by seed.
- Found throughout North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, the bluebonnet is native to the eastern, southern and central parts of the U.S., west to New Mexico and east to Florida.
Jackman’s Clematis
Jackman Clematis is one of the most popular climbing plants. Many people have successfully grown it but often dislike it because of its popularity. Jackman clematis grows rapidly and vigorously and produce large amounts of beautiful flowers. The fact that some people get taller doesn’t mean they’re not good at anything else. Instead, it just means they’re growing.
Jackman’s Buttercups are hybrids between C. lanuginose and C. viticella, so their botanical names are sometimes written as c. x jackmanii, the parents being C. lanuginose and C. viticella.
Clematis vines can be planted to cover ugly structures such as fences and sheds. They can also be grown around mailboxes and other vertical structures to create a decorative feature.
Chocolate Vine
The five-leaf chocolate vine is a perennial vine that’s naturally found in Asia and North America. It gets its name not only because of the rich purple brown blooms but also due to the delicate of the scents of the flower. Chocolate-scented florals are annual, so this one attribution could help win them over.
The vine grows into a cluster of shiny green globes resembling kiwis. It has three small petal-like structures at its end, which appear when the plant blooms. The fruits look like kiwis, with tiny black seeds inside them. They’re usually harvested during the fall.
It’s not uncommon for this vine to reach heights of up to 40 feet per year. One of the reasons for its reputation as an aggressive invader is that it doesn’t suffer from any major pests or diseases.
Unless you’re growing cacao plants to produce cocoa beans for making delicious chocolates, they will require a strong framework to help them grow up quickly and reach their full potential. If you want to enjoy the fruits of the tree, plan to plant at minimum two trees so that there is enough room for the branches to develop.
When designing your landscape, consider the mature height of the chocolate vines when choosing plants for your yard. These aren’t specimens that will delicately climb up your mailbox. Although they don’t cling, you can easily tie them up along a drain spout or around a privacy barrier with the help of some strong twine or PVC pipe fencing.
Some landscapers also enjoy the aggressive growth of these vines when used as a cover crop to hide unsightly rocks, stump holes, or maintenance holes. However, the delicate flowers tend to disappear among the thick foliage on the soil’s surface.
Hardy Kiwifruit Vine
Hardy kiwifruit is a cold-hardier relative of the kiwifruit tree (Akiwa), native to China and Japan. Kiwis are cultivated throughout temperate regions worldwide, including New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Mexico, South Africa, Europe, and Asia. They are used both fresh and dried in cooking and baking.
Hardy kiwis should be planted in the late spring or early summer after all danger of freezing temperatures has passed. They will produce their first fruits within three years.
Hardy Kiwi fruit Vine is native to Eastern Asia but will grow fine almost anywhere with good sunlight and training. Train the vine on a strong supporting structure, like a trello, arbour, pergola, fence, etc. You can manipulate it into a wide canopy or branch out vertically in espalier form, which makes it ideal for bonsai trees.
To grow kiwifruit vines, select a site where they can be grown successfully. Then, keep them well-watered and fertilized so they don’t outgrow their space.
Kiwis require full sun exposure, but not direct sunlight. They prefer temperatures between 50°F and 80°F. If you live in an area with cold winters, you may want to start your kiwi seeds indoors before planting them outside.
Star Jasmine
Star Jasmine is a fast-growing climber that produces fragrant white flowers. This variety is very easy to grow and requires little maintenance. It’sIt’s a popular choice for hanging baskets and window boxes.
The star jasmine vine starts producing new shoots about two weeks after germination. Once established, it needs only moderate amounts of water and fertilizer. It does best in full sun but tolerates light shade. It can tolerate heat better than most other climbing plants in warmer climates.
Moonflower
Moonflower is a gentle perennial plant that grows quickly and produces beautiful blossoms. It is popular among gardeners because of its ability to bloom throughout the day and night. It is also known as a night-bloomer.
Moonlight flower is easy to care for and requires little maintenance once established. It can tolerate temperatures ranging from 50 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and needs full sunlight to thrive. It should not be placed near heating vents or hot water pipes.
It does best if given ample room to spread out. Once established, the moonflower prefers moist soil and regular watering. In the summertime, it may require additional fertilizer.
It thrives in average soils and tolerates both shade and bright light. When planting a moonflower, choose a location where it will receive direct sunlight during the growing season.
Moonflower (Ipomoea violacea) has been used for centuries by indigenous people in South America for its psychoactive properties. It contains alkaloids similar to LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin. It is mildly toxic to humans and animals.
Moonflower require simple maintenance with occasional watering and feeding and seldom suffer from serious pests or diseases. Because they have a spreading growth pattern, it’s best to give them a sturdy perch so they can climb.
They also can be planted in hanging pots and planters and, if possible, should be placed near a deck or bedroom windows where you can enjoy their lovely scent at nighttime.
If you don’t wish the weeds to grow again in your garden, you should eliminate them before they can produce seeds. This deadhead process also promotes further flowering on the vine.
When grown as an annual, most people prefer to begin new seedlings the next season instead of attempting to overwinter their plantings; the vine can be challenging to maintain inside.
When grown perennially outside, the vine can be pruned back during the fall and trimmed if desired. Thinning the stems improves air circulation around the plant and opens it up to sunlight.