Utilizing vines in your landscape is a great way to obtain additional greenspace without taking up a lot of room. Vines benefit landscapes in several ways; they attract wildlife, provide vertical appeal, privacy, and shade! Personally, I prefer vines that have stunning flowers as well as landscape benefits. Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris), trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), and clematis (Clematis paniculata or Clematis ‘Jackmanii') are just a few of my favorite.

Climbing hydrangea produces white flowers in the early to mid-summer that will fill your backyard with a subtle sweet scent. This vine provides great all-season interest with its bright yellow fall color and shaggy bark during the winter. 

Trumpet vine attracts many types of butterflies and hummingbirds and has striking bright orange “trumpet” shaped blooms. Just be careful with this one – it is an aggressive grower that can quickly become out of control if not maintained properly. 

Japanese wisteria has beautiful grape-like lavender colored blooms that create a weeping effect. Be sure to grow this vine on a very strong structure, since it is known to twist and destroy weak structures.

There are several different types of clematis that I would recommend. There are varieties that bloom in the spring and others that bloom in the fall. The spring bloomers tend to have large purple flowers that provides a great focal point for an outdoor living space. The fall bloomers have small white flowers that cover the vine and create the illusion of a snowfall in early September. Vines such as Mandevilla (Mandevilla sanderi) and Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) are annuals in Michigan and are a great way to add height to planters with the addition of a trellis! Both of these vines have stunning blooms that will last all summer long! 

In summary, there are several vines to choose from when looking to enhance your landscape with a new vertical focal point and benefits ranging from attractive appearance to functional use. Vines are all-around great options to include in your landscape!