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For the cost of a packet of seeds, you can quickly
create a show stopping garden accent or a living
hideaway for children, hide a rusty chain link fence
or an unsightly garage wall, and turn an ordinary
balcony into a private garden. Started from seeds,
annual vines will scramble to heights of 20 feet or
more, highlighting features you want to show off and
covering eyesores.
Here are just a few of the many uses for annual vines:
- Add a little magic to your garden by planting a
trellis or pole with brightly colored morning glories
and moonflowers. You'll have a burst of brightly
colored flowers during the day, and luminescent white
blossoms at night.
- Add shade and privacy to your balcony with annual
vines. Because their root systems are limited, they
can be grown in large planters on a trellis, or
allowed to trail from window boxes and big hanging
baskets. The vertical growing habit will make a small
area seem larger.
- Annual vines are ideal for introducing your children
to the magic of gardening. Build a teepee of bamboo or
fallen tree branches, and plant with scarlet runner
beans or tall nasturtiums. Your children will enjoy
their colorful (and edible) hideaway while learning
about the wonders of nature.
- Plant climbing vines along chain link fences and light
poles to soften the look of your landscape.
- Annual vines will quickly blanket a problem slope or
other area that is difficult to mow with colorful
flowers. If your slope is difficult to plant, use a
vine that will reseed itself such as morning glories
or cardinal climbers.
- Plant vines along a southern wall to keep the house
cooler in summer.
 Annual vines are easy to grow. They like a sunny
location with good quality, well drained soil. Plant
your seeds according to the package directions, and
keep them evenly moist until they germinate. After
germination, you'll only need to water when the
weather has been extremely hot or dry. Use fertilizers
sparingly. An abundance of nitrogen will encourage
your vines to produce an abundance of dark green
foliage and few flowers.
Have your trellises or other support in place when you
plant your seeds. If you can't plant right next to the
support, insert twigs into the soil next to the seeds
to lead the vines to their intended support. If the
vine can't find its support right away, it will waste
time searching and reaching for something to grab on
to.
Recommended Annual Vines
Black Eyed Susan Vine
Unlike many climbing vines, this one isn't invasive so
it can be incorporated into existing gardens without
fear of crowding out existing plants. It's a great
choice for hanging baskets and window boxes.
Height: 5' to 10' trailing vine
Cardinal Climber Vine
The deep red flowers with white or yellow throats are
sure to draw attention to your trellises, fences and
poles.
Height: 6' to 20' vine
Cypress Vine
This vine can add a tropical texture to your landscape
with its interesting foliage and mix of bright red,
pink and white flowers. With the right conditions, it
grows to 20 feet.
Height: 8' to 10' vine
Hyacinth Bean Vine
This striking vine will have your visitors asking if
it's real! The flowers are followed by velvety purple
bean pods.
Height: 6' - 20' vine
Mina Lobata
'Firecracker Vine' or 'Exotic Love,' this unusual,
exciting, interesting annual vine has up to 12
beautiful 2" tubular flowers on each spike. Performs
well on trellises and in hanging baskets.
Height: 6' to 10' vine
Moonflower
Plant this fast-growing vine on a porch, near an
entrance, or under a window where you can enjoy the
evening performance and heady fragrance. The flowers
bloom only at night, and unfold in 2-3 minutes, and
event worth waiting for!
Height: 10' to 20' vine
Morning Glories
In the summer, flowers open in the morning, and in the
fall they stay open all day. Morning glories are grown
as a groundcover in difficult areas.
Height: 8' - 10' vine
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are shorter than most of the other annual
vines mentioned here, but their outstanding fragrance
make them worthwhile when height isn't important. They
make a wonderful cut flower.
Height: 3' to 5' vine
About The Author: Jackie Carroll is the editor of GardenGuides.com, a
leading internet destination for gardening information
and ideas. For hundreds of gardening articles and
expert gardening advice visit:
http://www.gardenguides.com
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