HO-21
(Revision)
630.76
In2mHO
yard and garden
annual and perennial VINES
John A. Wott
cooperative extension service horticulture department purdue university lafayette, indiana 47907
Vines add versatility to any landscape. They can be used to break the bareness of long walls, soften posts, frame doors and windows, and beautify window boxes. With a fence or trellis, they can be used for screens, making a background for your flower garden or quickly turning an ordinary porch or patio into a private shady living center. Some slower growing vines, are useful as container plants for patios.

ANNUAL VINES
Annual vines are those which must be sown from seed every year. Relatively inexpensive, most types bloom or have attractive foliage all summer. Also each year, you can change the vines to vary the color and foliage characteristics.
For an early start, sow seeds indoors. Use steam sterilized soil and individual containers such as peat pots. Most annual vines do not transplant easily, so sow the seed directly into the pot. (See HO-14 for more detailed instruction).
Following are brief descriptions of recommended annual vines:
Asparagus bean, Australian bean, or yard-long bean (Vigna sesquipedalis). The yellow or purple flowers are borne on vines with bean-like foliage. The vines grow rapidly and are ideal for screening. Huge, yard-long beans are produced.
Balloon vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum). The small white blooms are rather inconspicuous. Fruits (seed pods) look like an inflated green balloon. The seed pods are highly decorative on the vine or they can be cut and used for flower arrangements. The vine produces a feathery and delicate growth. It is best used on a small support or as a container-grown plant. It climbs by tendrils.
Cardinal climber (Quamoclits speciesj. Quamoclits pennata or cypressvine produces small phlox-shaped red blooms. The hybrid species (Q. x sloteri) produces red blooms with yellow throats. The foliage is feathery, giving the vine a delicate appearance. The plant is ideal for patio containers.
Cup and Saucer vine (Cobea scandens). Odd-shaped blooms of pure white or lilac are produced on a heavy growing vine. It climbs by means of twining stems.
Clockvine (Thunbergia elata). Small, bright orange blooms
with jet black centers are produced on this dainty vine in great profusion. Vines can be grown on a small erect support or in a container. Tendrils may hang downward, so provide some type of support.
Glory flower (Eccremocarpus scaber). Small trumpet blooms are produced in profusion in red, purple, yellow and orange. This vine has shiny green foliage. Seldom over 6 feet in length, it is an attractive vine for container growing.
Hop vine (Humulus scandens). A very dense foliage is produced, making this an ideal annual screening vine. Blooms are almost inconspicuous. The fruit is borne only on female vines. Usually seed packets contain both male and female types. This vine could be used for a ground cover where no foot traffic occurs. It will easily self-seed. The variety variegatus is white-variegated and less vigorous, which may be an asset in specific locations.
Hyacinth bean (Dolicbos lablab). The pear-like blooms of either white or purple are borne on the same plant at the same time. The purplish, decorative seed pods follow. The foliage is also pea-like and the vines make an excellent screen. Stems twine on supports.
Japanese morning glory (Ipomoea imperialis). Gigantic blooms, often 6-8 inches across, are produced on vines if disbudding is used. Vines are ideal for patio plants since they do not grow as rank as does the common morning glory. Plant the vines in wind-protected locations as the brown, yellow or bicolor blooms are very delicate.
Maurandia (Maurandia speciesj. The flowers resemble miniature gloxinia blooms in colors of white, velvety purple and rose. Ideal for a container plant with a support needed, it also grows well in hanging baskets.
Mock cucumber (Echinocytis lobata). The grape-like foliage of the vine makes this a heavy rank grower. The inconspicuous blooms produce seed pods which appear like decorative, green, small cucumbers.
Moonflower vine (Calonyction aculeatum). Similar to a morning glory, this vine produces extra-large and pure white blooms which usually appear only in late afternoon or early evening. An interesting effect can be created by interplanting with common morning glory.
Cooperative Extension Work In Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and U. S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. H. G. Diesslin, Director, Lafayette, Ind. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.