Fast Growing Vines and Climbing Flowers

Clematis spp. • Zones 3 to 9

You say, “CLEM-uh-tis,” I say, “cluh-MAT-iss.” It doesn’t matter how you pronounce it; one word best describes this vine: dazzling! Clematis grows up to 30 feet tall, so you’ll get more flowers in less space.

Passiflora spp. • Zones 7 to 9

Christian missionaries discovered the passionflower in South America in the 1500s. They saw symbolism in the bloom, and named it for Jesus’ passion. The vines can extend up to 50 feet.

Thunbergia alata • annual

Also known as clock vine, black-eyed Susan vine’s flowers superficially resemble their popular perennial namesake. The vine has thin green stems that extend up to 8 feet, wrapping around trellises or other plant stems.
Black-eyed Susan vine puts on a great show when trailing from a container, too.

Wisteria floribunda • Zones 5 to 9

There’s nothing like the sight and scent of a blooming wisteria garland to add romance to a spring backyard. Growing wisteria does take a bit of care. Be sure to provide ample support for the vine’s heavy limbs, and prune it each year after it flowers.

Lathyrus odoratus • annual

This easy-to-grow, fragrant flower prefers the cooler temps of spring and early summer, like its edible counterpart. It looks lovely among flowers or veggies.