Perennial herbaceous climbers
(The tops dying down in fall, but the root living over winter and sending up a new top.)
a. Tendril-climbers or root-climbers
Everlasting pea, Lathyrus latifolius. Clematis of various species, as C. aromatica, Davidiana, heracleaefolia (C. tubulosa), are more or less climbing. Most of the clematises are shrubs.
May-pop, Passiflora incarnata.* Not reliable north of Virginia.
Wild Gourd, Cucurbita fœtidissima (Cucumis perennius).* Excellent strong rugged vine for covering piles on the ground.
Mexican rose, mountain rose, Antigonon leptopus.
Root tuberous; a rampant grower, with pink bloom; outdoors South, and a conservatory plant North.
Kenilworth ivy, Linaria Cymbalaria.
A very graceful little perennial vine, re-sowing itself even where not hardy; favorite for baskets.
b. Herbaceous twiners
Hop, Humulus Lupulus.*
Produces the hops of commerce, but should be in common use as an ornamental plant.
Chinese yam, cinnamon vine, Dioscorea divaricata (D. Batatas).
Climbs high, but does not produce as much foliage as some other vines.
Wild yam, D. villosa.*
Smaller than the preceding; otherwise fully as good.
Ground-nut, Apios tuberosa.*
A bean-like vine, producing many chocolate-brown flowers in August and September.Scarlet runner and White Dutch runner beans, Phaseolus multiflorus.Perennial in warm countries; annual in the North. Moonflowers, Ipomcea, various species. Some are perennials far South, but annual North. Hardy moonflower, Ipomœa pandurata.*
A weed where it grows wild, but an excellent vine for some purposes.
Wild morning-glory, Rutland beauty, Convolvulus Sepium* and California rose, C. Japonicus.
The former, white and pink, is common in swales. The latter, in double or semi-double form, is often run wild.
Madeira vine, mignonette vine, Boussingaultia baselloides.
Root a large, tough, irregular tuber.
Mikania, climbing hempweed, Mikania scandens.*
A good compositous twiner, inhabiting moist lands.
Woody perennial climbers.
(Climbing shrubs, the tops not dying down in fall except in climates in which they are not hardy.)
a. Tendril-climbers, root-climbers, scramblers, and trailers
Virginia creeper, Ampelopsis quinquefolia,*
The best vine for covering buildings in the colder climates. Plants should be selected from vines of known habit, as some individuals cling much better than others. Var. hirsuta,* strongly clinging, is recommended by the experimental station at Ottawa, Canada. Var. Engelmanni* has small and neat foliage.
Japanese ivy, Boston ivy, A. tricuspidata (A. Veitchii).
Handsomer than the Virginia creeper, and clings closer, but is often injured by winter in exposed places, especially when young; in northern regions, tops should be protected for first year or two.
Variegated ivy, Ampelopsis heterophylla var. elegans (Cissus variegata).
Handsome delicate hardy grape-like vines with mostly three-lobed blotched leaves and bluish berries.
Garden clematis, Clematis of various species and varieties.
Plants of robust and attractive habit, and gorgeous blooms; many garden forms. C. Jackmani, and its varieties, is one of the best. C. Henryi (Fig. 266) is excellent for white flowers. Clematises bloom in July and August.
Wild clematis, C. Virginiana*
Very attractive for arbors and for covering rude objects. The pistillate plants bear curious woolly balls of fruit.
Wild clematis, C. verticillaris.*
Less vigorous grower than the last, but excellent.
Japanese clematis, C. paniculata.
The best late-blooming woody vine, producing enormous masses of white flowers in late summer and early fall.
Trumpet creeper, Tecoma radicans.*
One of the best of all free-flowering shrubs; climbs by means of roots; flowers very large, orange-scarlet.
Chinese trumpet creeper, T. grandiflora (Bignonia grandiflora). Flowers orange-red; sometimes scarcely climbing.
Bignonia, Bignonia capreolata.*
A good strong evergreen vine, but often a nuisance in fields in the South.
Frost grape, Vitis cordifolia.*
One of the finest of all vines. It is a very tall grower, producing thick, heavy, dark leaves. Its foliage often reminds one of that of the moon-seed. Does not grow readily from cuttings.
Summer and river-bank grapes, V. bicolor* and V. vulpina (riparia).*
The common wild grapes of the Northern states.
Muscadine, scuppernong, Vitis rotundifolia.*
Much used for arbors in the Southern states.
Ivy, Hedera Helix.
The European ivy does not endure the bright sun of our winter; on the north side of a building it often does well; the best of vines for covering buildings, where it succeeds; hardy in favorable localities as far north as southern Ontario; many forms. Greenbrier, Smilax rotundifolia* and S. hispida.* Unique for the covering of small arbors and summer-houses. Euonymus, E. radicans. A very close-clinging root-climber, excellent for low walls; evergreen; the variegated variety is good. Climbing fig, Ficus repens. Used in greenhouses North, but is hardy far South. Matrimony vine, boxthorn, Lycium Chinense.
Flowering all summer; flowers rose-pink and buff, axillary, star-like, succeeded by scarlet berries in the fall; stems prostrate, or scrambling; an old-fashioned vine on porches.Bitter-sweet, Solanum Dulcamara.A common scrambling or semi-twining vine along roadsides, with brilliant red poisonous berries; top dies down or nearly so.Periwinkles, Vinca minor and V. major.
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