24 Colorful Perennial Flowering Vines That Climb With Ease
Perennial flowering vines bring a touch of elegance and whimsy to any garden or outdoor space. Their vibrant blooms and unique growth habits make them a standout choice for adding visual interest to trellises, lattices, walls, and other structures. But with so many varieties to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you. To help narrow down the options, we’ve curated a list of the top 24 perennial flowering vines that are sure to delight.
Key Takeaways
As you delve into the world of perennial flowering vines, you’ll discover a wealth of information on our list below. But what emerges from this exploration is a set of common threads that weave together these fascinating plants. To distill the essence of perennial flowering vines, here are five key takeaways to keep in mind:
Perennial flowering vines showcase an astonishing array of colors and forms.
Their growth rates can be astonishingly rapid, with some climbing vines spreading quickly.
You’ll also encounter species that have earned a reputation for being invasive, making it crucial to exercise caution when planting.
These versatile plants employ various methods to scale vertical surfaces.
Finally, perennial flowering vines tend to be low-maintenance and straightforward to care for, making them an attractive option for ornamental gardens.
24 Lovely Perennial Flowering Vines that Come Back Every Year
Allamanda Vine (Allamanda cathartica)
In the Southeastern United States, the allamanda vine is a crowd-pleaser, renowned for its effortless care requirements. This vigorous climber will quickly spread and entwine any nearby structure with minimal maintenance. As it grows, the allamanda vine produces vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers in a rich yellow hue, adding a pop of color to your surroundings. With time, this plant can reach an impressive height of 10 feet tall and half as wide.
What’s more, various cultivars are available, each boasting unique characteristics that set them apart from one another.
American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)
As an American, you’re likely familiar with the oriental bittersweet, a non-native vine species wreaking havoc as one of the most pervasive invasive plants in the country. Yet, few people know about its native counterpart – the benign American bittersweet. While sharing some characteristics with its invasive cousin, this indigenous plant poses no environmental threat. One notable feature that sets it apart is its fruit, which resemble colorful miniature ornaments dangling beneath the leaves.
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea)
Bougainvillea’s impressive climbing habit and vibrant purple flowers make it a standout among flowering plants. Its ability to adapt perfectly to garden walls means it can thrive in a variety of settings. The plant’s long-lasting blooms are a particular highlight, providing a pop of color that’s hard to miss. If you’re looking for a flowering vine that will add a splash of vibrancy to your outdoor space, bougainvillea is an excellent choice.
Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
The seemingly straightforward common name of this vine may lead you to assume a connection to the Rudbeckia hirta species, commonly known as black-eyed Susan. But surprisingly, these two plants are only distant relatives. Despite their differences, they do share some similarities. Both plants are perennial and boast distinct flowers featuring bright yellow petals surrounding a dark, nearly black center.
The most striking distinction lies in the fact that this vine is an climbing plant, defying the expectations set by its botanical name.
Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)
While not a close relative of the popular bleeding heart flower, the bleeding heart vine (Dicentra portulaca) is a stunning ornamental perennial that stands out on its own. Its unique flowers boast striking color contrasts, often featuring white petals with deep red accents. However, different varieties can exhibit varying hues, making each bloom a delightful surprise.
As an added bonus, this low-maintenance vine is surprisingly pest- and disease-free, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis)
The Cape Honeysuckle plant is a sight to behold, with vibrant orange flowers featuring relatively long petals and prominent, spindly reproductive structures. But what truly sets this plant apart is its remarkable versatility – it can thrive as either a shrub or a climbing vine. If you’re interested in cultivating the latter habit, it’s essential to provide your Cape Honeysuckle with a suitable structure to climb.
Additionally, training your young plant to ascend from an early age can also be beneficial.
Cardinal Climber (Ipomoea quamoclit)
The cardinal climber’s showstopping flower boasts an extraordinary appearance, earning its distinction in several ways. Notably, its vibrant red hue commands attention, effortlessly outshining neighboring plants in your garden. Furthermore, the upright growth habit of these flowers ensures they’re even more noticeable.
The captivating shape of each bloom is also a notable feature – a saucer-like disk sits atop a slender tubular center, setting the cardinal climber apart as a one-of-a-kind species within the perennial flowering vine family.
Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata)
While many flowers tantalize the senses with their sweet fragrances, none captivate quite like the enigmatic chocolate vine. Its blooms emit a scent reminiscent of rich, velvety chocolate, while their deep purple hue – akin to a sumptuous chocolate brown – only adds to their allure. But what truly sets these flowers apart is their versatility. Capable of thriving in both full sunlight and partial shade, the chocolate vine’s adaptability makes it an attractive addition to any garden.
Clematis (Clematis)
The clematis vine, also known as the leather flower, boasts an array of exquisite features. Its six broad petals showcase a stunning palette of colors, ranging from pure white to majestic purple and blue hues, often with striking bi-tonal effects. These oversized petals create blooms that can reach impressive diameters of several inches, making each clematis flower a showstopper in the garden.
As these flowers bloom in abundance, a single clematis plant can become the crowning glory of your outdoor space. Furthermore, the vine’s elegant stems look particularly striking when entwined around an ornate trellis, creating a harmonious union that highlights the beauty of both the plant and its surroundings.
Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris)
While shrub-like hydrangeas boast stunning blooms, their climbing counterparts don’t disappoint either. Interestingly, there’s another perennial climbing vine that shares the ‘climbing hydrangea’ name – Hydrangea anomala subsp. Petiolaris – which is a true member of the Hydrangea genus. When healthy and thriving, these plants can become substantial in size, adding significant visual interest to your landscaping designs.
Notably, some varieties may even display pink flower clusters instead of the typical white hues.
Cup and Saucer Vine (Cobaea scandens)
The cup and saucer vine is an enchanting climbing plant that brings to mind whimsical tea parties throughout the spring and summer seasons. This unique appearance is attributed to the distinctive shape of its showy flowers, which feature petals forming a delicate cup shape with a lacy edge, complemented by the frilly leaves at the base of each bloom resembling a saucer.
Notably, this perennial flowering vine boasts an impressive growth rate and sprawling size, capable of exceeding 30 feet in length.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
The origins of the honeysuckle vine can be traced back to East Asia, earning it the alternative name Japanese honeysuckle. In its natural habitat, this climbing plant is known to ascend tall forest trees, often reaching astonishing heights of over 40 feet. Its appeal as a garden choice lies in the vibrant, fragrant flowers that it produces. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research before planting, as honeysuckle has been known to exhibit invasive tendencies in certain regions.
Even if your area is not susceptible to its spread, you may still encounter challenges in managing its growth.
Madagascar Periwinkle (Annual vinca)
The Madagascar periwinkle vine’s flowers are a true marvel. Their intricate pinwheel design features five petals that unfurl around a vibrant center, offering a delightful combination of colors. The blooms can be as simple as pure white or as bold as pink with magenta centers, while the occasional purple hue adds an extra layer of visual interest. But what truly sets these flowers apart is their harmonious balance with the lush, glossy foliage that makes up the majority of the plant’s leaves.
This perfect blend of colors and textures creates a visually stunning display that can elevate any garden.
Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
The Ipomoea genus is home to more than just the morning glory plant, but it’s undeniable that this species stands out for its showy blooms. The common morning glory vine boasts trumpet-shaped flowers with a striking color gradient – a soft lavender hue at the top gradually giving way to pure white towards the base of the flower’s tube.
This unique bloom attaches to a slender and elegant vine that can effortlessly weave its way through various garden structures, often creating a beautiful contrast between its delicate nature and the sturdiness of surrounding features.
Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)
When it comes to planting a passion flower vine, it’s essential to recognize that the term ‘passion flower’ can encompass multiple plant varieties. Some of these plants are perennial flowering vines, while others are not. Additionally, many passion flower species, regardless of whether they grow as vines or not, will produce edible fruit. However, the primary reason people are passionate about the passion flower is the unique characteristics of its flowers.
These blooms are notable for their large size, unusual central reproductive structures and vibrant, striking colors, which set them apart from other flowering plants.
Perennial Sweet Pea (Lathyrus latifolius)
The sweet pea is a remarkable herbaceous plant that combines rapid growth with stunning beauty. With optimal growing conditions, this climbing perennial can soar to heights of over 10 feet in just one season. As it grows, the sweet pea produces exquisite pink flowers shaped remarkably like orchids. Moreover, its blooms provide vital nectar for various pollinators, making it a valuable asset for local wildlife.
Notably, the plant exhibits natural deer resistance, simplifying its care and maintenance during its active growth period.
Rocktrumpet (Mandevilla)
The Mandevilla genus, commonly referred to as rocktrumpets, encompasses several species of flowering perennials that thrive as vining plants. While distinct varieties exhibit unique characteristics in terms of flower color and growth patterns, a common thread runs through them: each tends to reach maturity at an impressive height of 8 to 15 feet. Moreover, the majority of these varieties hail from South America, suggesting they generally flourish under warm growing conditions.
Another shared trait among rocktrumpets is their remarkable ability to produce vibrant flowers in a range of colors.
Snail Vine (Cochliasanthus caracalla)
The snail vine’s reputation for being slow-growing is far from accurate. In fact, this perennial flowering vine can quickly reach heights of 10 feet in a single summer. While its impressive blooms and foliage are undeniable, they require specific light conditions to truly thrive. For plants growing in hotter climates, direct sunlight can be detrimental.
However, with the right balance of light exposure, the snail vine will flourish, producing knobby flowers that, at times, bear a striking resemblance to their namesake’s shell.
Snapdragon Vine (Maurandya scandens)
The snapdragon vine is an excellent choice for a low-maintenance climbing plant or ground cover, as it thrives with minimal care. One of its key requirements is infrequent watering, which helps maintain its vitality and promote the appearance of vibrant blooms that can last for weeks. These colorful flowers typically display pink or purple hues and are scattered throughout the glossy green foliage.
As the vine grows, it naturally twines itself around supporting structures like trellises, arbors, and garden features with gaps – making it an ideal flowering perennial vine for such settings. If you don’t have a support structure in place, the snapdragon vine still makes for a stunning ornamental ground cover, adding beauty to your outdoor space without requiring significant upkeep.
Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
The allure of Star Jasmine lies in its showy blooms, which are small and star-shaped, but appear in abundance during the blooming season. This profusion of flowers not only creates a visually stunning display, but also releases a sweet fragrance that greets visitors as they arrive at your property. Beyond its striking blooms, the plant’s foliage is equally impressive, forming a dense, lush carpet that can envelop the supporting structure and create a verdant backdrop for any garden.
Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)
The sweet autumn clematis, while sharing similarities with the preceding star jasmine in terms of flower shape and fragrance, stands out on its own. Its petite white blooms, reminiscent of a slender star, emit a sweet aroma that has earned it its namesake. To keep this lovely plant thriving, a moderate level of care is sufficient, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to create a lush, flowering ground cover.
The key to achieving this look lies in controlling the clematis’s natural inclination to climb; simply prevent it from scaling nearby structures or plants and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning display of autumn blooms.
Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
The sweet potato vine may not yield edible sweet potatoes, but its ornamental value is undeniable. While it’s listed as a perennial flowering vine, its leaves steal the show with their striking deep purple or light lime green hues and unique shapes. In most cases, this plant remains bloom-less, but when it does flower, its vibrant purple tubular blooms are a true showstopper.
Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)
As the trumpet creeper unfurls its presence, so too do the vibrant flowering plants that surround it. Its climbing abilities only add to its allure, allowing it to effortlessly wrap itself around structures like a garden wall or fence. During the warmer months, this lush vine bursts forth with an abundance of orange, trumpet-shaped blooms that captivate both human admirers and pollinators seeking sustenance in their sweet, nectar-rich centers.
With its natural tendency to cascade over walls as it matures, the trumpet creeper becomes a breathtaking display of color and movement, creating a stunning visual effect that’s hard to ignore.
Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
Wisteria sinensis, also known as Chinese wisteria or simply wisteria, is a plant that demands attention and care. While its stunning beauty makes it a coveted addition to any garden, its invasive nature means it must be carefully managed to prevent overwhelming other plants. Even if you’re fortunate enough to live in an area where wisteria isn’t invasive, regular pruning is still essential to keep it under control as it spreads. However, the reward for your efforts is well worth the trouble.
The bloom time of wisteria is nothing short of breathtaking, featuring countless large, dangling panicles of light-purple flowers that seem almost ethereal in their beauty. For those willing to invest the time and effort required to keep this plant thriving, the payoff is undeniable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Perennial Flowering Vines
What is the Easiest Flowering Vine to Grow?
While it’s difficult to pinpoint a single perennial flowering vine species as the easiest to care for, many members of this diverse group share similar characteristics that make them relatively low-maintenance. When provided with suitable growing conditions, these vigorous plants thrive, producing a stunning display of blooms and rapid growth.
Among the most effortless options are clematis vines, trumpet vines, and black-eyed Susan vines, but there are numerous other flowering vine varieties that require minimal upkeep.
Which Vines Flower is the Longest?
While some flowering vines may have fleeting blooms, there are many others that offer a more prolonged display of color. Take Bougainvillea, for example, whose vibrant flowers not only appear in abundance but also linger on the plant for an extended period. Similarly, honeysuckle and other species within this group boast blooms that can be admired for weeks rather than days.
What is the Meaning of Perennial Vine?
Perennial vines possess a unique characteristic that sets them apart from other types of plants. To grasp the essence of this term, it’s essential to dissect each word individually. The prefix ‘perennial’ implies a cyclical pattern of growth, where the plant returns year after year, in contrast to annuals which complete their life cycle within a single growing season. The term ‘vine’, meanwhile, is a broad description that encompasses plants capable of climbing or twining.
By combining these two components, we arrive at the concept of perennial vines – a class of plants that exhibit a perpetual growth habit and an ability to scale vertical surfaces. This inclusive definition permits a wide range of plant species to be classified as perennial vines.
Are Climbers Perennial?
While our previous list showcased a variety of perennial climbing plants, it’s also important to note that some flowering vines can thrive as annuals. The suitability of an annual vine for your specific region is influenced by factors such as local climate and temperature. In areas with warmer temperatures than those where the plant typically grows, these vines may not survive the winter and will need to be replanted annually.
For instance, plants native to hot climates are more likely to require replacement each year in cooler regions, whereas they would naturally persist from one growing season to the next in their native habitats.
Is Clematis a Perennial?
Clematis vines, being perennial flowering vines, are designed to thrive year after year. As spring awakens, they start to develop and eventually unfurl large flowers that bloom in late spring or early summer. Once summer and fall have passed, these vines will begin to die back, prompting you to cut them back almost to the ground. When spring returns, your clematis will start producing new growth. This natural cycle allows for a seamless transition from one growing season to the next.
For many gardening enthusiasts, growing perennial flowering vines like clematis can be an exhilarating experience, often giving rise to numerous questions about these climbing ornamental plants. To address some of the most frequently asked queries, I’ve provided answers below.
24 Assorted Perennial Flowering Vines that Offer Something for Everyone
One of the greatest advantages of perennial flowering vines is their low-maintenance requirements. These plants thrive quickly, allowing you to enjoy the fruits of your labor in no time. Once you’ve selected the perfect species for your garden, you can expect rapid growth and a stunning display of flowers within a short period.
While there are numerous perennial flowering vine options available, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular and widely recognized varieties, making it easy to reference this list whenever you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your property with a beautiful, year-round blooming vine.