How badly to you want a good bloom over having a vine/arbor entrance to the garden? I hate having to decide. Sometimes I wish I could just flip a coin and decide easily. PJ

i think the spot is too shady for anything that might
bloom, so i was thinking of ivy? but they are very
slow growing

if i use my second choice location, i'm sure i could
plant something with lovley flowers

i think i'm leaning towards having flowers

aw man, i didn't know gardening was so full of
tough choices

tesa

Yep! I want one of everything AND an organized garden! LOL! PJ

I was gonna say sweet autumn clematis, but you probably don't want something that covers your trees âº

I've heard that clockvine, aka skyflower or thunbergia grandiflora, flowers and does well in shade. Check it out on the link provided below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Floridata's Skyflower page

Confederate or star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is evergreen, happy in the shade, and blooms this time of year with heavenly smelling flowers.

Grows fast & big, without being a pest or attracting pests. I like it cause it's easy! All I do is give it a little water during drought periods and trim off stray shoots. No fall color, though.

There's a mockingbird building a nest in one of mine right now. Not a real bright mockingbird, I'm afraid. I have 4 cats who hang out on the patio right next to this plant. There's going to be a massacre if I'm not home to gather the boys into the house when the fledglings leave the nest.

The one on the left is about 5 years old. It was almost this big after 2 years. The one on the right is actually 2 plants that are a year younger.

Treelover, how much shade do these get? It looks more open than an area where I would like to put a vine.

those are beautiful!!

crossvine, eh?

i'll have to give that some thought

husband loves carolina jessemmine (sp) but we already
have one, and i'm looking for a summer bloomer

have decided to place the arbor in more sun, i've spent
quite a bit on shade plants for my meditation garden,
so i'm thinking spreading the love around is good

i would like trumpet vine, but i'm concered i might
get the invasive one, isn't there one that is not so
invasive?

NOT the orange one?

tesa

I'll second confederate jasmine. I have some that NEVER see sunlight and they do so good. They're also easy to propigate from cuttings if you can find one close. They're easy to spot right now with the white blooms, or just follow your nose.

Thanks for the info on the Confederate Star jasmine, I have one in a pot that I propagated from one that is on a trellis in full sun, and I am going to plant it in a shady spot. I did not know they would grow in the shade... good info!!!

Great. Now you all have me wanting a confederate jasmine for my patio. I just bought a very nice chocolate vine instead. The area is mostly shady but does get some afternoon sun so the lady at the nursery sold me on this one. However, the flowers and scent sure would be nice to have. Maybe I can find a new place for the chocolate. LOL.

By the way, I have two crossvines that I planted on a fence that get little to no direct sun. They'll get sun once they grow to the top, but one of them appears to be dying so I can't recommend them for shade, at least at this point. :(

I have a snail vine (also called a corkscrew vine) in full sun as directed, but the friends I have shared with have it growning under an up trees and it is blooming beautifully. It's flowers look like a lavender orchid (about 1 1/2" to 2"). See if you can get a cutting from some one. They root easily in water or potting medium.

Don't even think about planting a trumpet vine... you will regret it the rest of your living days.

Trumpet Vine and Mustang Grape are what kills many a tree down this way. Their trunks can get up to a foot across at the base. Took me 5 years to kill one when I lived down near the Coast.
Paul

Carrie: I just thought to check back here ...sure wish there was a way to get reminders.

One of those star jasmines in the photos does get some sun in the morning, the other gets sun for a only few hours in the early afternoon. I don't think they require it, though, as both of them are growing into the underside of the carport where it's quite dark. (I don't think I'd put this stuff against house siding where it could grow under the boards.)

Last year, I put several of these under an old oak where it's shady all day. So far, they're doing fine, though I doubt they'll end up as thick and bushy as these.

check out this bleeding heart vine. Another plant on my wish list. :-) Jim posted beautiful, drop dead gorgeous photos and I can't stop thinking about it!

Here is a link that might be useful: Jim's Beautiful Garden