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10 Flowering Vines for Southwestern Gardens
These resilient, adaptable plants thrive in the region’s extreme climate and provide a variety of garden benefits
The versatility of vines is hard to beat, as they can transform a bare wall into a beautiful backdrop, create a living arch over a patio, add color to a gazebo or create privacy along a chain-link fence. Simply plant them and give them a little direction, and they will do the rest. Vines don’t grow only upward. Many can also be used as ground covers if given enough room to grow.
In the Southwest, their foliage visually cools bright gardens, and they help keep hot summer temperatures down by preventing walls from heating up in the sun. Here are 10 flowering vines, some of which are native, that are well-suited to the region and will beautify your southwestern landscape.
Not in the Southwest? Browse plants native to other regions of the U.S.
In the Southwest, their foliage visually cools bright gardens, and they help keep hot summer temperatures down by preventing walls from heating up in the sun. Here are 10 flowering vines, some of which are native, that are well-suited to the region and will beautify your southwestern landscape.
Not in the Southwest? Browse plants native to other regions of the U.S.
2. Yellow Orchid Vine
(Callaeum macropterum, syn. Mascagnia macroptera)
Native to the Baja California region of Mexico
Clusters of yellow orchid-shaped flowers grace the medium-green foliage of this Mexican native vine in spring and summer, adding sunny color to the landscape. Blooming often resumes in fall. Butterfly-shaped seedpods form after flowering, starting out as a light green and fading to tan.
Yellow orchid vine needs a trellis for support, or it can be allowed to grow as a ground cover. It is deciduous in winter, when temperatures dip below freezing, but grows back in spring.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.6 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 20 feet tall
(Callaeum macropterum, syn. Mascagnia macroptera)
Native to the Baja California region of Mexico
Clusters of yellow orchid-shaped flowers grace the medium-green foliage of this Mexican native vine in spring and summer, adding sunny color to the landscape. Blooming often resumes in fall. Butterfly-shaped seedpods form after flowering, starting out as a light green and fading to tan.
Yellow orchid vine needs a trellis for support, or it can be allowed to grow as a ground cover. It is deciduous in winter, when temperatures dip below freezing, but grows back in spring.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.6 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 20 feet tall
3. Crossvine
(Bignonia capreolata)
Native to Texas and the southeastern U.S.
The arrival of spring is heralded by the presence of crossvine’s orange blossoms, which brighten the landscape. Hummingbirds flock to the 2-inch-long tubular flowers with yellow centers. While the heaviest bloom occurs in spring, sporadic flowering can occur in summer and fall.
The foliage is evergreen in areas with mild winters, providing a lovely green backdrop. Flowers appear on old wood, so any pruning should be done right after blooming has finished. Crossvine clings to surfaces with small, clawed tendrils, so a trellis isn’t needed.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 6)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 30 to 40 feet
See how to grow crossvine
(Bignonia capreolata)
Native to Texas and the southeastern U.S.
The arrival of spring is heralded by the presence of crossvine’s orange blossoms, which brighten the landscape. Hummingbirds flock to the 2-inch-long tubular flowers with yellow centers. While the heaviest bloom occurs in spring, sporadic flowering can occur in summer and fall.
The foliage is evergreen in areas with mild winters, providing a lovely green backdrop. Flowers appear on old wood, so any pruning should be done right after blooming has finished. Crossvine clings to surfaces with small, clawed tendrils, so a trellis isn’t needed.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 6)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 30 to 40 feet
See how to grow crossvine
4. Carolina Jessamine
(Gelsemium sempervirens)
Native to the southeastern U.S.
Fragrant yellow blossoms perfume the air wherever this attractive vine is planted. Flowers appear from late winter into spring, providing bright color when not much else is in bloom. Glossy green foliage and maroon stems provide year-round interest.
In addition to being used as a vine, Carolina jessamine is also popularly grown as a shrub or ground cover. Flowers bloom on old wood, so prune in late spring, after flowering has finished. Provide a trellis for support.
Caution: Carolina jessamine is toxic, and the sap is irritating to the skin; wear gloves when pruning.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (Zone 7)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun and filtered shade (filtered shade is best in low-desert zones)
Mature size: 12 to 20 feet tall; 3 feet tall and 15 feet wide when grown as a ground cover
See how to grow Carolina jessamine
(Gelsemium sempervirens)
Native to the southeastern U.S.
Fragrant yellow blossoms perfume the air wherever this attractive vine is planted. Flowers appear from late winter into spring, providing bright color when not much else is in bloom. Glossy green foliage and maroon stems provide year-round interest.
In addition to being used as a vine, Carolina jessamine is also popularly grown as a shrub or ground cover. Flowers bloom on old wood, so prune in late spring, after flowering has finished. Provide a trellis for support.
Caution: Carolina jessamine is toxic, and the sap is irritating to the skin; wear gloves when pruning.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (Zone 7)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun and filtered shade (filtered shade is best in low-desert zones)
Mature size: 12 to 20 feet tall; 3 feet tall and 15 feet wide when grown as a ground cover
See how to grow Carolina jessamine
5. Trumpet Creeper
(Campsis radicans)
Native to eastern Texas and the southeastern U.S.
Three-inch-long orange flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds decorate the lush green foliage of this deciduous vine. In the Southwest, trumpet creeper begins flowering in late spring on into early fall, at which time the leaves begin to turn yellow before they drop.
Trumpet creeper is a vigorous vine that needs severe pruning in spring to prevent it from growing out of control. Regrowth is rapid, and flowers appear on the new growth. Grow it on a sturdy base that can support its weight, avoiding weaker structures such as wooden fences.
Caution: Trumpet creeper can become invasive if left unmanaged. Pruning severely in spring and periodically in summer will help to keep it in check.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 4)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to shade
Mature size: 25 to 40 feet tall
(Campsis radicans)
Native to eastern Texas and the southeastern U.S.
Three-inch-long orange flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds decorate the lush green foliage of this deciduous vine. In the Southwest, trumpet creeper begins flowering in late spring on into early fall, at which time the leaves begin to turn yellow before they drop.
Trumpet creeper is a vigorous vine that needs severe pruning in spring to prevent it from growing out of control. Regrowth is rapid, and flowers appear on the new growth. Grow it on a sturdy base that can support its weight, avoiding weaker structures such as wooden fences.
Caution: Trumpet creeper can become invasive if left unmanaged. Pruning severely in spring and periodically in summer will help to keep it in check.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 4)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to shade
Mature size: 25 to 40 feet tall
6. Lilac Vine
(Hardenbergia violacea)
Native to Australia
In the midst of winter, this Australian native bursts forth with lovely purple flowers to decorate the barren winter landscape. Flowering lasts for about a month, and then attractive dark green leaves take over, creating a nice splash of green throughout the rest of the year.
Despite its common name, lilac vine’s flowers aren’t fragrant, but bees are grateful for their pollen in winter when not much else is in bloom. Provide a trellis for support or grow this vine as a ground cover.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.6 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 9)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 15 feet tall
See how to grow lilac vine
(Hardenbergia violacea)
Native to Australia
In the midst of winter, this Australian native bursts forth with lovely purple flowers to decorate the barren winter landscape. Flowering lasts for about a month, and then attractive dark green leaves take over, creating a nice splash of green throughout the rest of the year.
Despite its common name, lilac vine’s flowers aren’t fragrant, but bees are grateful for their pollen in winter when not much else is in bloom. Provide a trellis for support or grow this vine as a ground cover.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.6 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 9)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 15 feet tall
See how to grow lilac vine
7. Potato Vine
(Solanum jasminoides, syn. Solanum laxum)
Native to South America
For those who enjoy year-round flowering, potato vine with its fragrant flowers is a must-have. The white flowers of this sun-loving vine mix beautifully with blooms of many other colors. The star-shaped flowers appear most heavily in spring, but they’ll also appear throughout the rest of the year.
Potato vine is drought-tolerant once established and is from the same family as potatoes and tomatoes. Provide a trellis for support.
Caution: All parts of potato vine are poisonous.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.6 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun (filtered shade is best in low-desert zones)
Mature size: 25 to 30 feet tall
(Solanum jasminoides, syn. Solanum laxum)
Native to South America
For those who enjoy year-round flowering, potato vine with its fragrant flowers is a must-have. The white flowers of this sun-loving vine mix beautifully with blooms of many other colors. The star-shaped flowers appear most heavily in spring, but they’ll also appear throughout the rest of the year.
Potato vine is drought-tolerant once established and is from the same family as potatoes and tomatoes. Provide a trellis for support.
Caution: All parts of potato vine are poisonous.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.6 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun (filtered shade is best in low-desert zones)
Mature size: 25 to 30 feet tall
8. Pink Trumpet Vine
(Podranea ricasoliana)
Native to South Africa
This tropical native, with its large pink flowers and lush green foliage, thrives in an unlikely place — the desert Southwest. Trumpet-shaped flowers decorate the garden in spring and fall. The foliage provides an attractive green backdrop in spring through fall but can suffer frost damage when temperatures dip below freezing.
Pink trumpet vine can be either grown as a sprawling shrub or trained as a vine using a trellis. In humid climates the growth rate of pink trumpet vine can become uncontrolled. However, in arid climates it is a welcome addition to the landscape, as it is moderately drought-tolerant and its growth rate is more controlled.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 20 feet tall
See how to grow pink trumpet vine
(Podranea ricasoliana)
Native to South Africa
This tropical native, with its large pink flowers and lush green foliage, thrives in an unlikely place — the desert Southwest. Trumpet-shaped flowers decorate the garden in spring and fall. The foliage provides an attractive green backdrop in spring through fall but can suffer frost damage when temperatures dip below freezing.
Pink trumpet vine can be either grown as a sprawling shrub or trained as a vine using a trellis. In humid climates the growth rate of pink trumpet vine can become uncontrolled. However, in arid climates it is a welcome addition to the landscape, as it is moderately drought-tolerant and its growth rate is more controlled.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 20 feet tall
See how to grow pink trumpet vine
9. Lady Banks’ Rose
(Rosa banksiae)
Native to China
It’s hard to find more desirable qualities in a vine than those possessed by Lady Banks’ rose. Thornless branches, fragrant blooms and relatively pest- and disease-free foliage make this not just a popular vine for southwestern gardens, but a popular garden rose as well.
The branches of this drought-tolerant rose arch outward, and are covered by masses of white or yellow roses (depending on the variety) in spring. In Zone 9 and above, Lady Banks’ rose is evergreen; otherwise it’s a semievergreen plant. Provide a trellis for support and prune annually after flowering.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (Zone 6)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 10 to 20 feet tall when maintained
See how to grow Lady Banks’ rose
(Rosa banksiae)
Native to China
It’s hard to find more desirable qualities in a vine than those possessed by Lady Banks’ rose. Thornless branches, fragrant blooms and relatively pest- and disease-free foliage make this not just a popular vine for southwestern gardens, but a popular garden rose as well.
The branches of this drought-tolerant rose arch outward, and are covered by masses of white or yellow roses (depending on the variety) in spring. In Zone 9 and above, Lady Banks’ rose is evergreen; otherwise it’s a semievergreen plant. Provide a trellis for support and prune annually after flowering.
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (Zone 6)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 10 to 20 feet tall when maintained
See how to grow Lady Banks’ rose
10. Bower Vine
(Pandorea jasminoides)
Native to Australia
Flowers with pale pink petals open to reveal dark pink centers upon the arrival of spring’s warm temperatures. They continue to appear in summer and on into fall amid glossy green foliage.
This vine is a great choice for smaller gardens, as its growth rate is not as vigorous as that of some of the other vines on this list. Semievergreen, it can lose leaves when temperatures dip below freezing. ‘Alba’ is a pure white variety that is quite popular.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.6 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun (filtered shade in low-desert zones)
Mature size: 20 feet tall
More
Discover 5 unexpected ways to use vines
Browse plants native to your region
(Pandorea jasminoides)
Native to Australia
Flowers with pale pink petals open to reveal dark pink centers upon the arrival of spring’s warm temperatures. They continue to appear in summer and on into fall amid glossy green foliage.
This vine is a great choice for smaller gardens, as its growth rate is not as vigorous as that of some of the other vines on this list. Semievergreen, it can lose leaves when temperatures dip below freezing. ‘Alba’ is a pure white variety that is quite popular.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.6 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun (filtered shade in low-desert zones)
Mature size: 20 feet tall
More
Discover 5 unexpected ways to use vines
Browse plants native to your region
(Antigonon leptopus)
Native to the Sonoran Desert, specifically the Baja California peninsula and western Mexico
Delicate sprays of dark pink flowers spread out from bright green, heart-shaped foliage throughout the warm season on this southwestern native. Bees find the flowers irresistible, as do passersby who pause to enjoy their beauty.
In winter, queen’s wreath dies back to the ground, but it grows back quickly in spring. The growth rate of this pink-flowering vine can be controlled by watering it deeply twice a month.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.6 degrees Celsius (Zone 9; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: Up to 25 feet tall
See how to grow queen’s wreath