If you want a lush, vibrant garden that keeps coming back year after year, perennial vines are a must-have. These fast-growing climbers add height, texture, and stunning blooms to fences, trellises, and walls—without the need for constant replanting.
From fragrant jasmine to colorful clematis, these 22 must-have vines will bring beauty, shade, and even privacy to your outdoor space. Whether you need low-maintenance greenery or show-stopping flowers, there’s a perfect perennial vine for every garden!
Clematis
Clematis is renowned for its stunning, large blooms that come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, and white. This vine thrives in well-drained soil and partial to full sun, making it versatile for many garden settings. Pruning is key to encouraging blooms, so understanding the type you have is essential.
Its flowers can range from delicate to boldly vibrant, offering a visual delight in any garden. As it climbs trellises or fences, clematis provides a soft yet impactful touch to vertical spaces. Consider combining different varieties for a season-long display.
Wisteria
Known for its cascading clusters of fragrant purple flowers, wisteria is a favorite for garden enthusiasts looking to add a touch of romance. This vine needs sturdy support as it can grow quite heavy. Pruning is crucial to prevent it from becoming unruly.
Wisteria thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, rewarding gardeners with breathtaking blooms in spring and sporadically throughout summer. Its woody stems create a rugged charm, perfect for pergolas or large arches. Regular maintenance ensures its enchanting beauty remains a garden highlight.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle offers a delightful fragrance and is a magnet for pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Its tubular flowers, typically in hues of yellow, pink, or white, add both olfactory and visual appeal.
This vine enjoys full to partial sun and adapts well to most soil types, making it relatively low-maintenance. Honeysuckle is ideal for covering fences or arbors, providing privacy with its dense foliage. While it can grow rapidly, regular trimming helps maintain its shape and encourages prolific blooming throughout the warmer months.
Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vine is synonymous with attracting hummingbirds, thanks to its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. These bold orange-red blossoms make a striking statement against its lush green foliage.
This hardy vine prefers full sun and well-drained soil, though it can tolerate less ideal conditions. It can become invasive if not properly maintained, so regular pruning is crucial. Its rapid growth makes it an excellent choice for quickly covering fences or structures, adding vertical interest and a splash of color to any garden.
Passionflower
Passionflower vine captivates with its complex, starburst-patterned flowers, often in vibrant purples and whites. This vine not only offers visual allure but is also known for producing edible fruit.
Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, passionflower is relatively easy to grow but benefits from support as it climbs. Its unique flowers attract pollinators and can serve as a conversation starter. Passionflower vines add exotic flair to gardens, making them perfect for those looking to introduce a touch of the extraordinary into their green spaces.
Climbing Hydrangea
Climbing hydrangea offers a blend of elegance and resilience, with its white lacecap flowers and rich green foliage. Unlike many vines, it thrives in shaded areas, making it ideal for north-facing walls or shaded trellises.
This vine is slow to establish but rewards patience with stunning blooms and foliage that can cover large areas. Its self-clinging nature means it adheres well to surfaces, providing a natural tapestry of color and texture. Climbing hydrangeas require minimal maintenance, aside from occasional pruning, offering a refined touch to any garden.
Jasmine
Jasmine is cherished for its intoxicating fragrance and delicate, star-shaped flowers. Available in several varieties, this vine can provide a sensory delight with its sweet aroma and visual charm.
Preferring a sunny spot with well-drained soil, jasmine can be trained to climb trellises, fences, or pergolas. While it requires some pruning to encourage growth and maintain shape, its fragrant blooms are well worth the effort. Perfect for adding a romantic element to gardens, jasmine vines transform outdoor spaces into fragrant retreats.
Virginia Creeper
Virginia creeper is renowned for its vibrant foliage that transitions from lush green to brilliant red in autumn. This hardy vine can climb almost any surface, making it ideal for covering walls or fences.
While it lacks showy flowers, its foliage is the main attraction, providing seasonal interest and a striking backdrop. Virginia creeper is low-maintenance and can thrive in various conditions, though it may require some control to prevent it from overtaking other plants. Its ability to transform a garden with color makes it a favored choice for many gardeners.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is celebrated for its vibrant bracts that come in shades of magenta, purple, and orange. This sun-loving vine thrives in warm climates and can add a splash of color to any garden.
It requires full sun and well-drained soil to flourish, with regular pruning to encourage blooming and maintain its shape. Bougainvillea is drought-tolerant once established, making it a good choice for low-water gardens. Its bold colors and hardy nature create a dramatic effect, perfect for adding warmth and vibrancy to garden walls or trellises.
Star Jasmine
Star jasmine is a favorite for its sweet scent and glossy foliage. Its small, star-shaped flowers create a stunning display, often covering a vine entirely in blooms.
Ideal for trellises and fences, star jasmine prefers sunny to partially shaded spots with well-drained soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to keep its shape. The vine’s fragrant flowers attract pollinators, adding ecological value to its aesthetic appeal. Perfect for creating fragrant garden paths or walls, star jasmine offers both beauty and delight.
Ivy (Hedera)
Ivy, with its evergreen foliage, is a classic choice for gardeners seeking a year-round green backdrop. Known for its climbing ability, it can cover walls, fences, or any structure with ease.
This vine thrives in a variety of conditions, though it prefers partial shade and moist soil. Ivy can become invasive, so regular pruning is necessary to keep it in check. Its dense foliage provides excellent coverage and can be shaped as desired. Ivy offers a timeless appeal, bringing a touch of elegance and old-world charm to modern gardens.
Morning Glory
Morning glory captivates with its stunning trumpet-shaped flowers in hues of blue, purple, and pink. These blooms open in the morning sun, offering a bright and cheerful start to the day.
This fast-growing vine is ideal for covering trellises or fences, providing quick vertical interest. Morning glory thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal care once established. While it’s an annual in colder climates, it can reseed itself, ensuring blooms return year after year. Its rapid growth and vibrant colors make it a favorite for creating lively garden displays.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is celebrated for its vibrant bracts that come in shades of magenta, purple, and orange. This sun-loving vine thrives in warm climates and can add a splash of color to any garden.
It requires full sun and well-drained soil to flourish, with regular pruning to encourage blooming and maintain its shape. Bougainvillea is drought-tolerant once established, making it a good choice for low-water gardens. Its bold colors and hardy nature create a dramatic effect, perfect for adding warmth and vibrancy to garden walls or trellises.
Sweet Pea
Sweet pea vines are adored for their charming, fragrant flowers and soft pastel hues. These blooms, in shades of pink, purple, and white, bring a cottage garden feel to any space.
Best grown in full sun with rich, well-drained soil, sweet peas require support as they climb. While they are annuals, planting them each spring is a small price for their stunning floral display and delightful scent. Perfect for trellises or garden beds, sweet peas add romance and nostalgia to gardens, enchanting visitors with their timeless beauty.
Black-eyed Susan Vine
The black-eyed Susan vine charms with its bright yellow flowers, each featuring a distinctive dark center. These cheerful blooms bring a burst of sunshine to gardens.
Thriving in full sun, this vine is perfect for brightening up trellises, fences, or hanging baskets. It’s easy to grow and requires minimal maintenance, making it a great choice for beginners. Though an annual in cooler climates, it can reseed itself, providing consistent blooms year after year. Its vibrant flowers and manageable size make it a versatile addition to any garden setting.
Cypress Vine
Cypress vine is known for its delicate foliage and striking red flowers that resemble stars. This vine adds a touch of whimsy and color to gardens.
Cypress vine thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a wonderful choice for garden trellises or fences. Its rapid growth can quickly cover structures, creating a lush green backdrop adorned with vivid blooms. Although it’s an annual, it easily reseeds, ensuring its presence year after year. The combination of feathery leaves and bright flowers offers a vibrant and playful garden feature.
Dutchman’s Pipe
Dutchman’s pipe vine stands out with its unusual, pipe-shaped flowers and large, heart-shaped leaves. It’s an excellent choice for gardeners seeking something unique.
This vine thrives in partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil, making it perfect for woodland gardens or shaded areas. It requires a sturdy support structure due to its robust growth. While its blooms are subtle, the beautifully textured foliage is a primary attraction. Dutchman’s pipe offers a distinctive look, bringing an element of surprise and curiosity to garden spaces.
Potato Vine
Potato vine is cherished for its glossy leaves and clusters of star-shaped white or purple flowers. This evergreen vine is perfect for adding year-round interest to gardens.
Thriving in full sun to partial shade, it requires well-drained soil and regular pruning to maintain its shape. Easy to care for, potato vine is ideal for covering walls, fences, or pergolas. It’s drought-resistant once established, making it suitable for low-water gardens. Its delicate flowers and lush foliage provide a gentle elegance, enhancing the charm of any garden setting.
Chocolate Vine
The chocolate vine, also known as Akebia, offers clusters of fragrant purplish flowers and lush green leaves. Its unique aroma and unusual flowers make it a captivating choice.
Thriving in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, this vine is perfect for arbors or trellises. It requires occasional pruning to control its vigorous growth. The chocolate vine’s enticing scent and attractive foliage can transform garden structures into fragrant retreats. Its ability to adapt to various conditions makes it a versatile and intriguing addition to any garden.
Coral Vine
Coral vine enchants with its clusters of pink flowers and heart-shaped leaves, bringing a splash of color to gardens. It’s a wonderful choice for adding vertical interest.
This vine thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal care once established. Its rapid growth can quickly cover trellises or fences, providing a vibrant display that attracts pollinators. Though it’s an annual in cooler climates, it can reseed itself, ensuring blooms return each year. Coral vine’s charming flowers and lush foliage make it a delightful garden feature.
Moonflower
Moonflower is known for its large, fragrant white blooms, which open at night, adding an element of mystery to gardens. These nocturnal flowers offer a captivating sight under the moonlight.
Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, moonflower vines are ideal for evening gardens or spaces enjoyed after dusk. They require support to climb and benefit from regular pruning to encourage growth. The vine’s enchanting blooms and sweet fragrance create a magical ambiance, making moonflower a perfect choice for night-time garden enchantment.
Porcelain Berry
Porcelain berry vine captivates with its unique berries that change colors as they ripen, from turquoise to purple. Its variegated leaves add to the visual interest.
Thriving in full sun to partial shade, this vine is perfect for adding a splash of color to garden fences or arbors. It may require pruning to control its growth and prevent invasiveness. The combination of vibrant berries and attractive foliage offers an eye-catching display throughout the growing season. Porcelain berry vine’s distinctive appearance makes it a standout choice for adventurous gardeners.