Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Alternatives to Ivy: Vertical Growers

Search

Alternatives to Ivy: Vertical Growers

January 31, 2013

Recently we offered a professional’s recommendation of the perfect Ivy plant. Little did we know this benign (OK, maybe “invasive” is more apt) plant would stir up a bee’s hive of controversy. Some readers told us in no uncertain terms what they think of ivy: “a monster,” “kudzu,” and “I will never plant it again” were among the comments. Message received. To ameliorate the situation, we’ve rounded up a collection of alternatives:

What did we miss? If you have a favorite climbing plant, tell us about it in the comment section below.

Join the great ivy debate; see our recent post: Vertical Garden Kit: The Ideal Ivy.

Photograph by Forest and Kim Starr via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Forest and Kim Starr via Flickr.

Above: A stunning ornamental vine, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus) is a twining perennial that is winter hardy in zones 10 to 11. Unlike many other vines, the blooms of the hyacinth bean plants grow up and away from the foliage. Fast growing, it’s practically a vertical garden kit on its own. It will cover a standard-sized trellis in a single season and is easy to grow from seed (being a member of the bean family); $3.25 for a pack of seeds at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

Photograph by Cultivar4\13 via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Cultivar413 via Flickr.

Above: Our friend Tricia Rose recommends the Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris), especially on a north facing wall. “You don’t have to baby it,” she says. Recommended for zones 4 to 8, it doesn’t like the humid conditions of the South; $19.48 for a 4-inch pot through American Meadows.

Trumpet honeysuckle by Wayne Ray via Wikimedia.
Above: Trumpet honeysuckle by Wayne Ray via Wikimedia.

Above: Native honeysuckles are not considered to be invasive like the Asiatic varieties. Add them to your vertical garden kit. Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is native to the Eastern United States. It is an evergreen twining climber whose flowers are hummingbird and butterfly magnets. Recommended for zones 4 to 9; $6 through Earth First Native Plant Nursery. I

Crossvine by Susan Adams via Flickr.

Above: Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), another native of the Eastern United States, is hardy in zones 5 to 9. With large trumpet flowers, this vine spreads rapidly and sends up root suckers, putting itself in the middle of the invasive versus non-invasive debate; $29.95 in a large 3-gallon pot through Top Tropicals.

Above: I confess to loving the voracious growth and strong aroma of Confederate (or Star) Jasmine Vine that hangs over my garage. It is a twining, evergreen, woody perennial that grows as a vine in zones 8 to 10 (California, southwestern and southeastern US). Yes, I have to cut it vigorously. Yes, it is worth every snip; $29.95 for a 1-gallon pot through Brighter Blooms. Photograph by Janet Hall.

Above: Horticulturalist Allan Armitage has an unapologetic love of vines (even those that some despise for their invasive nature). In Armitage’s Vines and Climbers, he profiles selections of climbing plants for a wide variety of sites and conditions; $29.95 at Amazon.

For more, see our collection of Vertical Garden Features.

Finally, get more ideas on how to successfully plant, grow, and care for ivy with our Ivy: A Field Guide.

Additionally, get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various ground cover plants with our Ground Covers: A Field Guide.

Finally, get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various vines and climbers with our Vines & Climbers: A Field Guide.

(Visited 1,005 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Product summary  

Jasmine

Star Jasmine

$29.95 USD from Brighter Blooms Nursery

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0