Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners
A vine is a plant that is too slender, flexible, or weak to support itself but climbs, twines, or trails along a surface to grow. If you're considering using vines to add another dimension to your garden, learn about their advantages and disadvantages and the havoc invasive vines can cause.
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Found in fields and forests and in dry soils and wet, this native vine is widely distributed in Virginia. It can be a vigorous spreader, but its attractive foliage and low maintenance can make it a feasible option for difficult-to-grow places.
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Found naturally along roadsides, pastures, and open woods, the exotic flowers and edible fruit of Purple Passionflower make this unique vine a striking ornamental plant for the garden. The common name, Maypop, refers to the fruit, which makes a loud popping sound when stomped on.
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
The fragrant yellow bells of Carolina Jessamine are a sure sign of spring. A profusion of flowers appear for several months, and the glossy, oval leaves remain attractive all year. This native is at home from Guatemala north to the southeastern United States. It is South Carolina’s state flower.
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
This semi-evergreen vine can cling to stone, brick, and wood without support. Found in forests and along roadsides mainly in the South,* its showy, two-tone flowers are an early nectar source for butterflies and hummers. Cross-vine refers to the cross-shaped pattern of the cut stem.
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Low maintenance and showy, Trumpet Honeysuckle blooms intermittently until frost with coral flowers and red fruit present together. A more compact cultivar, ‘John Clayton,’ produces fragrant yellow flowers and copious orange-red fruit. It was discovered in 1991 on the grounds of a 17th century Virginia church. The species name “sempervirens” refers to the plant’s evergreen habit, particularly in the South. The Virginia Native Plant Society selected Trumpet Honeysuckle as Wildflower of the Year for 2014.
Featured Glossary word: Perfoliate
