Adding small flowering vines to your trellises is an effortless way to bring height, color, and charm to your garden. These delicate climbers take up minimal space while producing stunning blooms that can attract pollinators and create a lush, romantic feel in your outdoor space.
Whether you prefer fragrant blossoms, vibrant colors, or fast-growing varieties, there’s a perfect vine for every trellis. Some thrive in full sun, while others flourish in shady corners, making them versatile for any garden setting. Plus, many of these vines are low-maintenance, requiring little more than occasional pruning and support as they grow.
If you’re looking to transform your fence, arbor, or pergola, these 21 small flowering vines will create a breathtaking vertical display without overwhelming your space.
Clematis
Clematis offers a variety of colors, often gracing gardens with large, star-shaped blooms. This vine thrives in well-drained soil and prefers a sunny location with shaded roots. It’s ideal for adding vertical color and can bloom from spring to fall, depending on the variety. Regular pruning keeps clematis healthy and encourages more flowers. With its stunning appearance, it complements any garden style, from cottage to contemporary. Whether trained on a trellis or allowed to sprawl, clematis brings elegance and charm to outdoor spaces.
Sweet Pea
Sweet peas are cherished for their delightful fragrance and pastel blooms. These annual vines grow quickly, making them perfect for seasonal color. They flourish in cool climates and enjoy rich, well-drained soil. Plant them in early spring for a summer display of flowers. Pinching back the stem tips encourages bushier growth. Ideal for cutting gardens, sweet peas add a classic touch to floral arrangements. Available in a range of colors, from soft pinks to deep purples, they bring a touch of nostalgia to any garden setting.
Morning Glory
Morning glories are fast-growing vines known for their trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the morning sun. They are perfect for creating a quick privacy screen. These annuals thrive in full sun and can tolerate poor soil. Their seeds need to be soaked before planting to ensure successful germination. As they twine around supports, morning glories provide a stunning display that attracts pollinators. With colors ranging from blues to pinks, they add a cheerful presence to fences and trellises, making them a favorite among gardeners.
Black-eyed Susan Vine
The black-eyed Susan vine is a charming addition to any trellis, offering bright yellow or orange flowers with dark centers. This tropical perennial, often grown as an annual in cooler climates, is loved for its long blooming period. It enjoys full sun and well-draining soil. Regular watering supports its vigorous growth. Perfect for small spaces, this vine can cover a trellis or spill over containers elegantly. Its vibrant blooms make it an excellent choice for adding a splash of color to patios and garden borders.
Passion Flower
Passion flowers are exotic, with intricate blooms that captivate gardeners and pollinators alike. These vines prefer warm climates and well-drained soil. They can be trained on trellises or allowed to cascade over walls. Known for their unique flower structure, passion flowers attract butterflies and bees, enhancing biodiversity. Some varieties produce edible fruit, adding to their appeal. Regular pruning helps maintain their shape and encourages new growth. With their striking appearance, passion flowers serve as a focal point in gardens, offering a sense of tropical allure and elegance.
Jasmine
Jasmine vines are celebrated for their intensely fragrant flowers. These evergreen or deciduous vines thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Ideal for arbors and trellises, jasmine can also be grown in containers. Its delicate blooms appear in clusters, offering not just beauty but also a soothing scent. Regular trimming keeps jasmine healthy and promotes more blooms. As a versatile plant, it fits well in moon gardens or spaces where evening fragrance can be appreciated. Jasmine’s timeless appeal makes it a beloved choice for enhancing garden ambiance.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle vines are known for their sweet fragrance and tubular flowers that draw hummingbirds and butterflies. These hardy plants thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil. Honeysuckle is perfect for creating living walls or covering unsightly garden structures. It requires regular pruning to manage its growth and encourage blooming. With colors ranging from reds to yellows, honeysuckle adds vibrant dynamics to any garden. As a low-maintenance option, it offers a beautiful solution for gardeners seeking both aesthetic and ecological benefits.
Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vines are vigorous climbers, famed for their large, trumpet-shaped flowers. These perennials thrive in sunny spots and adapt well to various soil types. They are excellent for covering large areas quickly, making them ideal for privacy screens. Although they require little maintenance, regular pruning controls their spread. The bold, fiery blooms attract hummingbirds, adding lively movement to gardens. While beautiful, trumpet vines can be invasive, so careful placement is essential. Their dramatic appearance ensures they are a standout feature in any outdoor space.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea brings a burst of color with its papery bracts in shades of pink, purple, and red. This sun-loving vine thrives in warm climates and requires minimal water once established. Ideal for covering trellises and walls, bougainvillea creates striking visual interest. It’s a hardy plant, resistant to pests, making it a low-maintenance choice. Pruning encourages fuller growth and more blooms. While not suitable for cold climates, in the right conditions, bougainvillea transforms spaces with its vivid display, offering a tropical feel right at home.
Wisteria
Wisteria is renowned for its cascading clusters of fragrant flowers. This deciduous vine thrives in full sun and requires sturdy support due to its heavy growth. It’s perfect for covering large structures, creating romantic garden settings. While beautiful, wisteria demands regular pruning to control its size and encourage blooming. The enchanting lavender or white flowers make it a favorite for creating show-stopping displays. Though slow to establish, once settled, wisteria becomes a stunning focal point in any landscape, offering a timeless elegance that’s hard to resist.
Carolina Jessamine
Carolina jessamine is a fragrant evergreen vine known for its cheerful yellow blooms. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. This vine is perfect for adding a splash of color to garden structures. Its twining habit allows it to climb gracefully, making it ideal for trellises or arbors. Although toxic if ingested, it remains a popular choice for its beauty and fragrance. Regular pruning keeps it tidy and encourages more flowers. Carolina jessamine offers a burst of sunshine with its vibrant blooms.
Star Jasmine
Star jasmine enchants with its glossy leaves and small, fragrant white flowers. This versatile vine thrives in sun or partial shade and adapts to various soil types. It’s ideal for arbors, trellises, or as ground cover. Star jasmine is a favorite for its intoxicating scent that fills the air in summer. Regular pruning enhances its form and flowering. While not a true jasmine, its beauty and fragrance make it a popular choice for gardeners. Whether climbing or sprawling, star jasmine offers a touch of elegance and sensory delight.
Bleeding Heart Vine
The bleeding heart vine captivates with its heart-shaped flowers in striking red and white. Preferring partial shade and rich soil, it’s a tropical delight that adds unique charm. This vine is perfect for sheltered trellises or patios. Regular watering and feeding keep it thriving, while pruning encourages bushy growth. The delicate blooms make it a standout feature, offering visual interest and conversation starting appeal. Caution is advised as all parts are toxic if ingested. Despite this, the bleeding heart vine remains a beloved choice for its distinctive beauty.
Moonflower
Moonflowers are nocturnal beauties, opening large, white blooms at dusk. These annual vines thrive in warm climates and need sunny spots with well-drained soil. Perfect for night gardens, they create a magical ambiance. The flowers emit a subtle fragrance, attracting nighttime pollinators like moths. Soaking seeds before planting aids germination. While they grow quickly, moonflowers need support to climb. Their serene presence and enchanting blooms make them a captivating choice, ideal for those who cherish evening garden strolls. Adding them to a trellis brings a touch of nocturnal wonder.
Hyacinth Bean
The hyacinth bean vine dazzles with its purple flowers and ornamental seed pods. This fast-growing annual prefers sunny locations and fertile, well-drained soil. It’s excellent for covering trellises quickly, offering both beauty and utility. While the pods are visually appealing, they are toxic if consumed. Regular watering and occasional feeding promote vigorous growth. Hyacinth bean vines can transform mundane structures into vibrant garden features. Their dual-purpose appeal of flowers and pods provides continuous interest throughout the growing season, making them a versatile addition to any garden.
Climbing Roses
Climbing roses bring classic elegance with their abundant blooms and sprawling habit. These perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They require sturdy support and regular training to climb effectively. Pruning encourages healthy growth and more flowers. With a wide range of colors and fragrances, climbing roses suit any garden style. Their timeless beauty makes them a popular choice for romantic settings or historic gardens. Despite needing more care than some vines, their stunning displays of blooms are well worth the effort, offering enduring charm.
Coral Vine
Coral vines, with their clusters of pink flowers, offer a tropical flair. These vigorous climbers love full sun and can tolerate poor soils. Perfect for quick coverage, they adorn fences and trellises with ease. Regular pruning keeps them manageable and encourages blooming. While they attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, caution is needed as they can become invasive in warm climates. Despite this, their vibrant blooms and lush growth make coral vines a striking choice for adding bold color and texture to garden landscapes.
Chocolate Vine
The chocolate vine intrigues with its fragrant, purplish blooms and edible fruit. Thriving in partial shade, it prefers well-drained soil and regular moisture. This vine is excellent for adding mystery to shaded areas, creating secret garden vibes. Its unusual flowers add visual interest, while the fruit offers a unique culinary treat. Regular pruning helps control its spread, as it can become invasive. Despite its vigorous nature, the chocolate vine remains a popular choice for those looking to add an exotic touch to their garden, making it a conversation starter.
Climbing Hydrangea
Climbing hydrangeas enchant with their white lacecap flowers and peeling bark. Ideal for shaded areas, they thrive in rich, well-drained soil. These vines are slow to establish but reward patience with a stunning display. They are perfect for covering walls or fences, offering a classic look. Regular pruning after flowering maintains their shape. Their ability to climb without support makes them unique among climbing plants. Climbing hydrangeas bring elegance and timeless beauty to gardens, especially when their flowers bloom in mid-summer, providing a serene and sophisticated ambiance.
Mandevilla
Mandevilla vines add tropical appeal with their bright, trumpet-shaped flowers. These fast-growing plants thrive in warm climates and full sun. Perfect for containers or trellises, they create stunning vertical displays. Mandevilla requires regular watering and fertilizing for optimal blooms. While not frost-tolerant, they can be overwintered indoors in cooler regions. Their vibrant flowers attract pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity. With minimal care, mandevilla can transform outdoor spaces into colorful retreats, offering a touch of the tropics. Their bold presence makes them a favorite for patios and garden entryways.
Fairy Wings Vine
Fairy Wings Vine
Meet the enchanting Fairy Wings Vine! This whimsical plant boasts delicate, transparent flowers that resemble fairy wings. With pastel hues of pink and lavender, these blooms bring a touch of fantasy to any garden.
Ideal for small trellises, the Fairy Wings Vine gracefully entwines with its support, adding an ethereal touch. Its unique appearance makes it a conversation starter among garden enthusiasts.
Caring for this vine is simple: provide it with moderate sunlight and regular watering. Enjoy the magical allure of the Fairy Wings Vine as it transforms your trellis into a fairy tale wonderland.