Trellis Tips

Before choosing a spring-flowering vine, carefully consider the vine supports available near your patio. Woody vines, such as wisteria and climbing rose, demand sturdy, permanent supports that can shoulder the weight of these heavy vines. Support woody vines on a timber pergola or arbor that is anchored into the ground.

If sturdy, permanent support structures are not available, plant a perennial or annual vine, such as sweet pea, that can be trained on temporary supports such as bamboo poles. Purchase or fashion your own pyramids to support annual and many types of perennial vines to add instant vertical interest to your patio. Anchor the supports in the ground or in a pot filled with soil.

American Wisteria

Ropes of showy purple flowers drip from this vigorous native woody vine in mid- to late spring. The flowers emerge before the leaves have completely expanded, giving the fragrant pea-like flower clusters prominence. Unlike Chinese and Japanese wisteria species, American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) doesn't spread aggressively. Grow this heavy vine on a strong support that can handle the weight as it matures.

Growing Conditions: Moist, rich soil and full sun

Size: 25-30 feet

Zones: 5–9

Hardy Kiwi Vine

Hardy kiwi vines (Actinidia arguta) boast fragrant late spring flowers that are followed by small kiwi fruit, often called “kiwiberries,” in fall. Considerably smaller than the fuzzy kiwi at the grocery store, these berry-like fruits have smooth skin and a tropical flavor. Plant a male vine and a female vine for fruit production. Hardy kiwi is heavy when covered with fruit; support it with a sturdy trellis, fence, or structure.

Growing Conditions: Deep, rich, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade.

Size: Up to 30 feet or more; extensive pruning is essential to keep it in bounds.

Zones: 3–8

Star Jasmine

The small but mighty, dime-size flowers of star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) will quickly perfume a large patio. Blooming from late spring until frost, this evergreen perennial vine is easy to grow. Where it is hardy, it can easily grow 20 feet tall. In cold regions, grow it in a container and overwinter it in a frost-free location.

Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and rich, well-drained soil.

Size: Up to 20 feet

Zones: 8–10

Carolina Jessamine

Native to the southern United States and Central America, Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) has sweetly scented, trumpet-shaped, canary yellow flowers in early spring. Its evergreen foliage makes it a year-round asset on trellises, fences, arbors, and porch or pergola columns. Pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, frequently visit Carolina jessamine. Note: Carolina jessamine’s leaves, flowers, and fruit are toxic if eaten.

Light and soil: Grow in moist, rich, well-drained soil and full sun. This perennial vine will grow in part shade, but flowering will be limited. Plant where it will receive at least 8 hours of bright, direct sunlight a day.

Size: Up to 20 feet tall

Zones: 6–10

Climbing Hydrangea

Native to the southeastern United States, climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea barbara) is one of just a few vines that grow and flower in part shade. In spring, 2- to 4-inch-wide white flower clusters are complemented by large glossy leaves. The woody vine climbs easily, clinging to buildings, trellises, walls, and arbors.

Growing Conditions: Moist to wet soil in part shade with morning sunlight

Size: Up to 30 feet

Zones: 6–8

Sweet Peas

A favorite cutting flower, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) thrive in cool spring growing conditions. Train the lightweight annual vines up a simple teepee or twig trellis. The uber-fragrant flowers are available in shades of pink, white, and purple. Harvest blossoms every other day or so to keep plants from producing seed pods and to keep the flowers coming.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil.

Size: up to 3 feet for bush types; 3-8 feet for standard types

Zones: Annual

Tip: Pull up the vines when they finish flowering in early summer. Replace them with purple hyacinth bean vines—a fragrant summer-flowering annual climber.

Climbing Roses

Tough yet romantic, climbing roses (Rosa cultivars) have flower power and tantalizing scents. Other than annual pruning in winter, climbing roses require little care. Look for repeat-blooming cultivars that bloom with gusto in spring and then continue blooming sporadically into fall. Two beloved repeat-blooming cultivars include ‘New Dawn’ and ‘Claire Austin’.

Growing Conditions: Moist, well-drained soil and full sun

Size: Up to 20 feet, depending on variety

Zones: 5–9