Tall spreading climbing plants that climb up utility poles, trellises, arbors, fences, or whatever they can cling to add to the variety of flowers in your garden make a beautiful enhancement to the overall scheme. Many of these vines and climbing plants also attract birds.
In order for vines and climbing plant, you will need some kind of
support system. You can buy a ready made arbor or trellis (unless
of course you have a handiman in the house who can make them for you).
Some premade trellises and arbors are flimsy, and will break after a couple
of years, so try to choose carefully. Also, some vines, like the
trumpet vine, are heavy and need sturdier support. Perennial
vines tend to need sturdier support. Chain link fences, and
utility poles also make great support for vines, especially if you are
trying to hide unsightly fences (or neighbors yards) and utility poles.
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(Clematis spp.) |
The flowers, 1 to 10 inches wide, have no true petals but 4 to 8
brightly colored petal-like sepals. Fluffy seed pods remain on some species
long after the flowers fade. As cut flowers, clematises are long lasting;
the seed pods are used in dried arrangements. Clematis flowers form either
on the current season's growth or on
that of the previous year. Clematis plants grow anywhere from 12' to 30' depending on variety. |
Clematis grows best in partial shade, but in the northern zones
the plants tolerate full sun. They thrive in moist, well-drained, slightly alkaline to neutral soil. Birds love to nest in clematis, especially the Sweet Autumn Clematis. |
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(Celastrus scandens) |
In fall, female plants produce orange-yellow fruit capsules that split open, revealing bright red berries. It grows rapidly to 20'. | Since male plants are needed to fertilize blossoms, plant a male and female in the same hole. Take care to confine the plant so doesn't smother other plants nearby. This is a heavier vine and needs sturdy support. |
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(Vitis spp.) |
Grapes grow on vigorous vines that
cling by tendrils to any available support. The 4- to 8-inch leaves are roughly heart-shaped and the 1/2- to 1-inch fruit, borne in clusters, ripen from midsummer until late fall according to the variety. Grapevines may live for 100 years or more, and a mature grapevine may bear as much as 10 to 20 or more pounds of fruit annually. |
Grapes grow in a wide variety of soils but do best in sandy, highly organic soil. Many different varieties that are hardy in Zones 5-9. |
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(Campsis spp.) |
Spectacular clusters of orange to red flowers which bloom from midsummer on a fast growing vine. Vines grow from 25' to 35' and has coarse, dark green leaves. | Needs sturdy support. Thrives in full sun and moist well drained soil. It is also highly pest resistant. Hummingbirds love the flowers, and many birds will nest in it. |
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(Parthenocissus quinquefolia) |
The vigorous, fast-growing, high-climbing Virginia creeper has five-leaflet
leaves that turn vivid scarlet in autumn. Each leaflet measures 2 to 6
inches long. In autumn the vines bear clusters of shiny dark blue
berries, while the leaves turn fiery colors before
dropping, to expose a delicate tracery of woody stems. |
Parthenocissus vines grow in sun or partial shade and toleratemost soils, even those that are dry, but a deep, rich, moist, well-drained loam is best. Climbing by twisting tendrils often tipped with adhesive discs, these handsome species and varieties of parthenocissus grow into colorful blankets or accents for rough walls, arches and arbors. The plants also may be used as a ground cover, rooting as they spread to form a carpet up to 1 foot highThe Virginia creeper is hardy in Zones 3-10. |
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(Parthenocissus tricuspidata) |
Fast-growing Boston ivy has lustrous three-lobed leaves that grow up to 8 inches long and turn yellow, orange or scarlet in autumn. This vine is one of the best for clinging to brick or stone and withstands both city pollution and seashore conditions. It grows up to 60 feet tall. | Parthenocissus vines grow in sun or partial shade and tolerate most soils, even those that are dry, but a deep, rich, moist, well-drained loam is best. Boston ivy and its varieties are hardy in Zones 4-10. |
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(Cocculus carolinus) |
An american native vine. Produces red fruits that birds love. | More restrained and only grows to about 12'. |
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(Passiflora incarnata) |
Produces sweet, oblong edible fruits. | Birds love to nest in this vine. At end of season, leaves and stems die. You can let the vines stand for a winter bird shelter, or cut them back for a neater look. |
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(Ipomoea multifida) |
Cardinal climber has smooth, 20-foot twining stems with finely divided palmlike leaves; its 2-inch red flowers with white centers bloom from summer to fall. | Ipomoeas grow in full sun or partial shade; in shade the flowering of all but the cypress vine may be curtailed. Plant in any well-drained soil that is not so rich that it produces foliage at the expense of flowers. Shield vines from strong wind, which may shred the foliage. Often called red morning glory. |
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(Ipomoea purpurea) |
The morning glory has heart-shaped leaves 5 inches long and flowers that open in the morning but close by noon. Up to 4 inches in diameter, the blue, purple, pink, scarlet, white or multicolored blooms can have single or double rows of petals. | Ipomoeas grow in full sun or partial shade; in shade the flowering of all but the cypress vine may be curtailed. Plant in any well-drained soil that is not so rich that it produces foliage at the expense of flowers. Shield vines from strong wind, which may shred the foliage. |
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(Ipomoea quamoclit) |
The cypress vine is a parent of the hybrid cardinal climber and closely resembles it, with 20-foot stems and dark green fernlike foliage. The scarlet flowers, 1 1/2 inches long, bloom all summer and attract hummingbirds. | Ipomoeas grow in full sun or partial shade; in shade the flowering of all but the cypress vine may be curtailed. Plant in any well-drained soil that is not so rich that it produces foliage at the expense of flowers. Shield vines from strong wind, which may shred the foliage. |
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| Other Methods to Attract Birds | Providing Safety for Birds |
