Wild Vines Native to Virginia

Varieities and Geography

• Among the native vines in Virginia growing in all three of its regions -- the mountains, the Piedmont and the coastal plain -- are Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), cross vine (Bignonia capreolata), climbing bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) and virgin's bower (Clematis virginiana). American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) and Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) grow on the fertile coastal plain.

Size

• Some of these native Virginia vines achieve great lengths. One is the Virginia creeper, capable of being between 30 and 50 feet long, while cross vine is from 35 to 50 feet long. Climbing bittersweet grows from 15 to 20 feet in length. Virgin's bower can be as lengthy as 20 feet, as can trumpet honeysuckle. Carolina jasmine commonly grows to 20 feet long. American wisteria is a bulky vine as well as long, with lengths of 30 feet.

Features

• Consider the varied features of these vines before deciding upon one for your property. Purple, fragrant flowers are the trademark of American wisteria, with the April and May blossoming period producing drooping clusters of these flowers. Carolina jasmine is an evergreen vine with bright yellow tubular flowers. Cross vine has orange-red flowers and semi-evergreen foliage. Virgin's bower generates white flowers late in the growing season, from August into October. Virginia creeper turns out inconspicuous flowers, but its dark colored berries attract wild birds, as do the berries generated by climbing bittersweet. Trumpet honeysuckle has 2-inch-long, attractive flowers and red berries.

Uses

• American wisteria is a vine for arbors, pergolas and sturdy trellises. Cover trees trunks and decks with Carolina jasmine. Use cross vine to climb pillars and sprawl along fences. Plant virgin's bower in your woodland gardens or in your naturalized areas to take advantage of its tendency to grow along the ground. Virginia creeper and bittersweet are good choices for bird gardens, each able to climb a trellis or grow on the ground. Employ trumpet honeysuckle to lure hummingbirds into view.