Vines That Grow on Wood

Ground Covers

Some vines grow as ground covers as well as climbers. Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis) has aerial roots. This trailing, evergreen vine grows up to 30 feet long and has large, lustrous foliage that turns coppery in winter. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil. Algerian ivy is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7b to 8 and tolerates salt.

The wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei var. radicans) grows as a ground cover or as a climbing vine that reaches 15 feet. An evergreen, the wintercreeper has dark, lustrous foliage and produces orange fruit. Plant in moist, well-drained soil in zones 5 to 9.

If you live in a warm climate or a region that experiences hot summers, choose heat-tolerant vines. The Japanese hydrangea vine (Schizophragma hydrangeoides) grows slowly to 35 feet long and produces large clusters of white blossoms in summer. This deciduous vine tolerates wet sites and heat. Japanese hydrangea vines are hardy in zones 6 to 8.

The Chinese hydrangea vine (Schizophragma integrifolium) grows slowly to 45 feet long and climbs with aerial roots. This deciduous vine blooms with 10- to 12-inch-wide clusters of white flowers and tolerates heat well. Chinese hydrangea vines are hardy in zones 6 to 7a.

Plant shade-tolerant vines in sites that receive mixed shade and sun or less than five hours of sun each day. The climbing fig (Ficus pumila) grows best in partial shade. It climbs to 40 feet and has small, evergreen foliage. This drought-tolerant vine is hardy in zones 8 to 9.

The Madame Galen trumpet creeper (Campsis x tagliabuana "Madame Galen") blooms in summer with showy, red-orange blossoms that attract hummingbirds. This deciduous vine grows rapidly to 30 feet long and requires support. The Madame Galen vine grows best in sites that receive morning sun and afternoon shade and is hardy in zones 6 to 9.

Choose sun-loving vines for sites that receive direct exposure all day long. The trumpet vine (Campsis grandiflora) grows quickly to lengths of 13 to 20 feet. This vine twines and uses aerial roots to climb and requires support. It is hardy in zones 7 to 9 and grows best in full sun. Trumpet vines bloom with showy, dark-orange flowers from midsummer through late fall and have deciduous foliage.

The sevenleaf creeper (Parthenocissus heptaphylla) climbs 15 to 20 feet with aerial roots. This vine has deciduous, dark-green foliage that turns deep- to bright-red in autumn and produces blue-black fruits. Plant this quick-growing vine in full sun in zones 8b to 9.