Vines bring life to blank walls and can turn wire gazebos into vibrant shade structures for relaxation. Vines also offer shelter for beneficial insects and birds. If you are interested in incorporating vining plants into your flowerbeds and landscaping, now is the time to learn all about a few of our favorite vines that grow well here in Northern Colorado.
1. Engelman Ivy
The berries are toxic, so watch out! Use as ground cover or plant next to a wall or trellis if you would like an upward vining effect. The leaves emerge bronze in spring and mature to a dull green, then in the fall the leaves change to bronze-red. It produces black berries in the fall. The stems are self-clinging and will climb any surface nearby without encouragement. Engelman ivy is hardy to 9,000 feet (hardiness zone 3) and repels deer.
2. Boston Ivy
This vine also produces black berries in the fall that are toxic. Use as a ground cover plant or vine. Its leaves emerge bronze in the spring and mature to a dull green, which then change to purple or crimson-red in the fall. Stems are self-clinging. The plant is hardy to 6,500 feet (hardiness zone 4), repels deer, and is beneficial to bees!
3. English Ivy
This vine is harmful if eaten and may cause skin irritation. Use as a vine or ground cover. The leaves of English ivy turn bronze-red in winter. Its stems will root into the ground and are also self-clinging. Evergreen foliage is medium-sized. It is hardy to 6,500 feet, best grown in hardiness zone 5, and is beneficial to pollinators!
4. Virginia Creeper
This vine produces black berries in the fall that are toxic. Virginia creeper can be used as a ground cover plant or as a vining plant, as its stems are self-clinging. Its leaves emerge bronze in the spring and mature to a dull green, which then changes to purple or crimson-red in the fall. Hardy to 9,000 feet (hardiness zone 3), emits a lovely fragrance, attracts hummingbirds, and repels deer!
5. Hops “Willamette”
These hops are used to make pale ales or UK-style ales. They can also be used to make teas that help with insomnia. This vine exhibits vigorous growth, is hardy to zone 3, and attracts butterflies!
6. Clematis – Jackmanii
This is the most popular variety due to its large, deep purple flowers, vigorous growth habit, and consistent flowering. Blooms appear on new growth mid-summer and then again on new shoots in early fall. The second round of flowering will likely produce small flowers. Prune in February or March as new leaf buds appear lower on the plant. Remove all dead material above new buds to encourage flowering. Clematis blooms June-October, is hardy to zone 2, repels rabbits and deer, and attracts hummingbirds!
7. Chocolate Vine
Exhibits a twining growth habit and is very well suited for fences or walls. This vine will tolerate almost full shade and can handle mild drought. It will produce edible fruit when multiple vines are planted! Small white flowers bloom in the spring. This plant is hardy to 6,000 feet (zone 4), repels deer, and emits a nice fragrance.
8. Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle displays red berries in the winter and flowers that are white/yellow in the summer. They grow well on a trellis or fence. This plant typically blooms in the summer, is hardy to 7,000 feet (zone 4), attracts hummingbirds, repels deer, and is very fragrant!
9. Trumpet Vine
These vines develop thick, woody stems and require substantial support. Clusters of yellow trumpet-shaped flowers appear in the summer. They grow very well over arbors or pergolas. They are drought tolerant, hardy to 5,500 feet (zone 4), attract hummingbirds, benefit bees, and repel deer.