As noted in Ellen Honeycutt’s article in this issue of the SCOOP (page 10), most home landscapes consist of the same monotonous selection of plants, the majority of them not native to our area. As land is cleared for development, native vegetation is removed, and the natural habitat and biodiversity of both plants and animals is damaged. We can help reestablish the natural order by using more native plants in our landscapes. Fortunately, there are many wonderful natives from which to choose, and they can be employed to achieve any manner of landscape style.
This is the first part of a series on native plants that can serve as alternatives to commonly used, non-native landscaping plants. In this first installment, we will look at native vines. Future articles will feature ground covers, shrubs, small flowering trees, evergreens, perennials, aquatic plants, annuals/biennials, etc.
Before presenting native vines, I must mention that some non-native vines commonly used in landscaping are invasive, meaning that they get out of control easily, spread uncontrollably, and damage our natural environment. I doubt even the least educated gardener would intentionally plant kudzu (Pueraria montana) these days, but there are still those who use the invasive English ivy (Hedera helix) and cultivars of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). Other invasive vines include fiveleaf akebia (Akebia quinata), sweet autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora syn. C. paniculata, C. dioscoreifolia, or C. maximowicziana), Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), periwinkle (Vinca major and V. minor), porcelain berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), winter creeper or climbing euonymus (Euonymus fortunei), Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), Japanese wisteria (W. floribunda), and Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum). Let me warn you that you may see some of these noxious plants recommended in books by respected authorities or even in Extension Service publications. They may be touted for their ease of cultivation and rapid growth habits, but those may be the very features that make them invasive. Be warned!
There are plenty of worthy native vines available. Some are evergreen; others offer fragrant flowers; some can act as screens when grown on a fence; others can function as ground covers. Below is a sampling of native vines from which to choose. You can employ them in the landscape knowing that they will add beauty to your garden, serve wildlife, and not damage our natural environment.
Pipevine or Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla syn A. durior)
Unusual, brownish-purple, pipe-shaped blooms borne in late spring to early summer; large, broad, heart-shaped foliage; larval food for pipevine swallowtail butterfly; light shade to sun; prefers moist soil; useful for trellises or fences; grows to 30 feet.
Cross-vine (Bignonia capreolata)
Trumpet-shaped blooms borne in early spring; flower color ranges from bronze to orange or red, often with a yellow throat; attracts hummingbirds; evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage; tolerant of many soils; sun to part shade; can be used as a climbing vine or ground cover; grows to 30 feet or more.
Trumpet-vine (Campsis radicans)
Trumpet-shaped, red-orange blooms borne in summer; attracts hummingbirds; can be an aggressive grower, so take care if introducing it to the garden; light shade to sun; tolerant of many soil types; appropriate for fences or large arbors; grows to 40 feet or more.
Swamp leatherflower or blue jasmine (Clematis crispa)
Small, fragrant, blue-purple, bell-shaped blooms that nod on stalks; blooms spring to summer; prefers moist soil and sun to part shade; appropriate for small trellises and fences or intermingled with shrubs; grows 6 to 10 feet.
Leatherflower (Clematis viorna)
Small, bell-shaped, nodding blooms that are lavender pink to dusky purple; blooms spring to summer; rich, moist soil; sun to light shade; appropriate for trellises and fences or intermingled with shrubs; grows 8 to 12 feet.
Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana)
Numerous small, white, fragrant flowers borne in late summer; useful on fences, arbors or trellises; grows 8 to 12 feet; NOTE: be certain of the species when buying this plant as it can be confused with the invasive sweet autumn clematis (see above for the many botanical names which that non-native invasive plant may go by).
Wood vamp or native climbing hydrangea (Decumaria barbara)
Creamy white flower clusters borne in late spring to summer; foliage is a glossy dark green; sun to shade, though needs sun to bloom well; can be used as a ground cover or climbing vine; grows to 30 feet; NOTE: not a true hydrangea and not to be confused with non-native plants called climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomola and Schizophragmahydrangeoides).
Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
Yellow, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers borne in late winter to early spring; attracts hummingbirds; glossy, evergreen foliage; sun to part shade; can be used as a ground cover or as a trailing or climbing vine; grows 10 to 20 feet.
Swamp jessamine (Gelsemium rankinii)
Similar to Carolina jessamine, but blooms later, is more tolerant of damp conditions, and is not as cold hardy, being a native of the Coastal Plain.
Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Scarlet (or golden yellow), trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds; begins blooming in late spring with flushes of bloom through much of growing season; full sun to partial shade; useful for arbors, fences, trellises, or mailboxes; grows 12 to 15 feet.
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Adaptable to many situations in sun or shade; rather insignificant bloom, but foliage provides vivid red to burgundy fall color; fruit eaten by many birds; can be used as a ground cover or climbing vine; grows to 40 feet or more.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Lavender, elaborately formed blooms borne in summer; attracts butterflies and is host for fritillary species; sun to part shade; tolerant of a variety of soils; can be used as a climbing vine or spreading on the ground; grows 6 to 12 feet.
Jacksonvine (Smilax smallii)
Grown for glossy, evergreen foliage; greenish, tiny blooms borne in late spring that are followed by black fruit; sun to part shade; dry to moist soil; useful for trellises, arbors, or fences; grows to 10 feet or more.
American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)
Lavender, fragrant, drooping flower clusters similar to those of the non-native wisterias; blooms in late spring after leaves emerge; sun to part shade; useful for pergolas, arbors, or fences; grows 10 to 30 feet.
