Shade Vines and Zone 5

Clematis Vines

• Clematis vines form a large part of the vine species capable of growing in some degree of shade in zone 5. Species such as downy clematis, woodbine, sweet autumn clematis and clematis and its multiple cultivars handle the shade. Woodbine, for example, is very adaptable to a shady site, notes the Missouri Botanical Garden. The longer kinds of clematis vines, such as sweet autumn clematis, grow along the ground as ground cover or climb trellises and fences. These clematis species bloom in the shade as well as they flower in full sun. Shorter types, like the Will Goodwin hybrid of clematis, prefer the sun but do grow in shade.

Hydrangea Vines

• Hydrangea vines have a tendency to grow long, with some kinds of Japanese hydrangea and climbing hydrangeas developing well past 30 feet in zone 5. Capable of growing on masonry, trees or stone walls in full to partial shade, these hydrangea vines also spread out, some as wide as 9 feet. The hydrangea vines flower in June, producing clusters of white blossoms. Some of these vines even have winter interest; the bark of the climbing hydrangea hybrid called Miranda is reddish and peels away.

Ivy Vines

• Specific kinds of ivy grow in climates as cold in the winter as zone 5 becomes. English ivy is one, with zone 5 the limit of its winter hardiness. It grows to 100 feet, even in full shade. English ivy is an option for the shady sides of a building, beneath trees or as ground cover in a heavily shaded location. Its main feature is its evergreen leaves, which are dark green and interlaced with white veins. Boston ivy is an ivy with the ability to mature in the shade, to 50 feet on occasion without any support. It sheds its leaves, which sometimes are 8 inches wide, but not before they turn shades of purple.

Honeysuckle Vines

• Some types of honeysuckle vines are cold hardy enough to survive easily in the shade in zone 5, such as trumpet honeysuckle. Others, including goldflame honeysuckle vines, need a sheltered site out of the wind to make it through a zone 5 winter. Honeysuckle's flowers are fragrant, so take advantage of the pleasant aroma and plant these vines near your patio or your porch. Honeysuckle vines bloom off and on for many months. Japanese honeysuckle is a non-native vine which grows rapidly, sometimes becoming invasive if you fail to contain its new growth.