Full Shade Vines: Beautify Your Space with These Hardy Plants

Why Full Shade Vines are Perfect for Your Garden

Are you looking for a way to add some greenery to your outdoor space but have limited sunlight? Full shade vines can be the perfect solution. Not only do they add beauty and visual interest to your landscape, but they also provide numerous benefits such as reducing soil erosion, providing natural cooling, and creating privacy.

Here are some of the best full shade vines to consider:

1. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Overview

English Ivy is a hardy perennial vine that can grow up to 50 feet in length. It has dark green leaves with white veins and produces small flowers and berries.

How to Grow

English Ivy prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It grows well in full shade or partial shade and can be trained to climb walls, trellises, or fences.

2. Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris)

Overview

Climbing Hydrangea is a deciduous vine that can reach up to 50 feet in height. It produces large, fragrant flowers in the summer and has green heart-shaped leaves.

How to Grow

Climbing Hydrangea prefers rich, moist soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be trained to climb walls, trees, or other structures.

3. Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)

Overview

Sweet Autumn Clematis is a deciduous vine that can grow up to 30 feet in length. It produces fragrant white flowers in the fall and has bright green leaves.

How to Grow

Sweet Autumn Clematis prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be trained to climb walls, trellises, or other structures.

4. Japanese Hydrangea Vine (Schizophragma hydrangeoides)

Overview

Japanese Hydrangea Vine is a deciduous vine that can reach up to 30 feet in height. It produces large, showy flowers in the summer and has heart-shaped leaves.

How to Grow

Japanese Hydrangea Vine prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be trained to climb walls or other structures.

5. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Overview

Virginia Creeper is a deciduous vine that can grow up to 50 feet in length. It has five-lobed leaves that turn red in the fall and produces small berries.

How to Grow

Virginia Creeper prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be trained to climb walls, fences, or other structures.

6. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Overview

Trumpet Vine is a deciduous vine that can reach up to 40 feet in height. It produces orange-red trumpet-shaped flowers in the summer and has dark green leaves.

How to Grow

Trumpet Vine prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be trained to climb walls, trellises, or other structures.

7. Kiwi Vine (Actinidia spp.)

Overview

Kiwi Vine is a deciduous vine that can grow up to 30 feet in length. It produces edible fruit and has heart-shaped leaves.

How to Grow

Kiwi Vine prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be trained to climb walls, trellises, or other structures.

8. Climbing Fig (Ficus pumila)

Overview

Climbing Fig is a hardy evergreen vine that can grow up to 50 feet in length. It has small heart-shaped leaves and produces edible fruit.

How to Grow

Climbing Fig prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be trained to climb walls, fences, or other structures.

9. Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla)

Overview

Dutchman's Pipe is a deciduous vine that can reach up to 30 feet in height. It produces large, unusual flowers in the summer and has heart-shaped leaves.

How to Grow

Dutchman's Pipe prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be trained to climb walls, trellises, or other structures.

10. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Overview

Creeping Jenny is a hardy perennial vine that can grow up to 6 inches in height. It has small yellow flowers and bright green leaves.

How to Grow

Creeping Jenny prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be used as ground cover or trained to climb walls, fences, or other structures.

11. Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)

Overview

Bleeding Heart Vine is a tropical evergreen vine that can reach up to 15 feet in height. It produces clusters of red and white flowers and has glossy green leaves.

How to Grow

Bleeding Heart Vine prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be grown outdoors in warm climates or as a houseplant in cooler climates.

12. Hoya (Hoya spp.)

Overview

Hoya is a tropical evergreen vine that can grow up to 20 feet in length. It produces fragrant flowers and has waxy leaves.

How to Grow

Hoya prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be grown outdoors in warm climates or as a houseplant in cooler climates.

13. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Overview

Passionflower is a deciduous vine that can reach up to 30 feet in length. It produces showy purple flowers and has green leaves.

How to Grow

Passionflower prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be trained to climb walls, trellises, or other structures.

14. Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)

Overview

Black-Eyed Susan Vine is a hardy annual vine that can grow up to 8 feet in length. It produces showy yellow or orange flowers with black centers and has green leaves.

How to Grow

Black-Eyed Susan Vine prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be grown as an annual or as a houseplant in cooler climates.

15. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)

Overview

Moonflower is a hardy annual vine that can grow up to 15 feet in length. It produces fragrant white flowers that bloom at night and has heart-shaped leaves.

How to Grow

Moonflower prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate full shade or partial shade. It can be grown as an annual or as a houseplant in cooler climates.

FAQs

1. Can full shade vines grow indoors?

Yes, many full shade vines can be grown indoors as houseplants. However, it's important to choose a variety that can tolerate lower light levels and make sure to provide adequate moisture and nutrients.

2. How do I train a vine to climb a wall or trellis?

To train a vine to climb a wall or trellis, you will need to tie the stem or branches to the support structure using soft ties or twine. As the vine grows, continue to tie it to the structure and prune any unwanted growth.

3. What are some benefits of growing full shade vines?

Full shade vines can provide numerous benefits such as reducing soil erosion, creating privacy, and providing natural cooling. They also add beauty and visual interest to your landscape.

4. How do I care for my full shade vine?

The care requirements will vary depending on the specific variety of vine you are growing. However, in general, full shade vines prefer moist, well-drained soil and may require regular pruning to promote healthy growth.

5. Can full shade vines be grown in containers?

Yes, many full shade vines can be grown in containers. However, it's important to choose a variety that is suitable for container growing and make sure to provide adequate moisture and nutrients.