5 Vines For The Fall
Grow these backyard vines to brighten your autumn landscapes with blazing foliage, colorful berries and fetching flowers. We have written in the past that everyone should try growing a vine and the ones we are going to highlight will extend your garden season with pretty flowers and foliage. They also add vertical interest to your garden and lift color to eye level and above. These vines do require some more maintenance as they can quickly get aggressive. Before you add one of these, check the invasive species list in your area before planting, and then enjoy the top picks that will work well in your backyard.
Here are five vines you can consider for adding interest to your garden in the fall:
American bittersweet
American bittersweet is a native perennial deciduous twining woody vine best known for its attractive red berries that cheer up fall and winter landscapes. The vine flowers in late May and then will grow clusters of berries that turn from green to yellow to orange. In the fall the orange covering comes off and red berries are inside. The flowers are small cup-shaped calyx (1/4-inch wide) with 5 yellow-green petals. The vine is easy to grow in most soils with regular moisture in full sun. It will grow in partial shade but when the vine is in full sun the flowers and the berries will be more robust. This vine can be invasive. If you want to grow this vine make sure you get one at a reliable nursery and it really is an American bittersweet vine. The vine can be pruned in late winter to early spring. Mature vines require little pruning other than the removal of dead or excess growth. These plants are primarily dioecious (separate male and female plants). Female plants need a male pollinator to produce the attractive fruit that is the signature of this vine. Hardiness zones 3 – 8.
Betty Corning Clematis
Betty Corning Clematis produces beautiful lilac-blue flowers. The fragrant flowers are 1-2 inches wide. The blooms on this clematis start in late June and last through October. This clematis is more tolerant of severe cold and heat. In the spring, the plant has bronze-hued foliage. It will hastily climb anything it can get its tendrils on. It prefers overhead sun and its roots should be shaded. A good mulching will keep the roots happy all season long. With this Clematis, you will need to prune it back in the late winter/early spring to a foot about the ground, just above the place where the new season’s growth begins. Hardiness zones 4 – 8.
Boston Ivy
Boston Ivy is a vine known for its colorful fall foliage. This popular low-maintenance clinging vine’s foliage changes from green to a brilliant red in the fall. The plant grows quickly and adheres to surfaces including fences, brick or stone walls. It is great at hiding an ugly wall and can grow 30-40’. It takes 5 years for the plant to reach maturity. The vine can be used as an alternative to Ivy. Boston Ivy does best when grown in partial shade to full sun in well-drained, soil. Planting Boston Ivy in full sun causes the foliage to achieve its brilliant red color. Water the plant weekly to get the plant established. In extreme heat, the vine needs to be watered more often. The vines will grow aggressively if given the right soil, water, and sun conditions. If you need to trim the plant the best time to prune is in the winter. Hardiness zones 4 – 8.
Silver Lace Vine
Silver Lace is a twining vine. This attractive flowering vine is an aggressive grower and can become an invasive plant in some areas. Review the risks before planting. The vine has two seasons of bloom. The small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers grow in clusters and bloom in mid-summer to fall. The foliage has a light green heart-shaped foliage. Silver Lace vine can grow at least 20 feet long. It is a twining vine that climbs by twisting their stems or leaf stalks around a support. This vine is perfect for an arbor, trellis or fence. Grow this vine in full sun or light shade. It performs best in moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate some dryness. Cut back this vine anytime from late winter into early spring. Hardiness zones 4 – 8.
Sweet Autumn Clematis
This climbing vine is also known as Paniculata Clematis. It is one of our most popular sellers. This plant produces clusters of white fragrant flowers in late summer through early fall. This plant is easy to grow and has nice green foliage. The vine grows quickly in warm temperatures with twining stems that can rapidly cover fences, arbors, and sheds. Plant your clematis in moist, well-drained, neutral soil in a sunny location. Dig a hole and be very gentle when placing the plant in the hole as the roots, crown, and developing vines of the plant can be broken. Position the plant 1-2" below the soil surface, so the first set of leaves is just under the soil surface. Spread spiraling roots evenly throughout the soil. Keep evenly moist. Water the plant weekly to get the plant established. It can grow up to 20 feet. At the end of the season, it’s time to prune this rapid grower. Cut it back to as little as 12 inches from the ground. Hardiness zones 3 - 8.
If you have any vines to add to our list, let us know!
