Shade Loving Vines for Containers

Clematis

• The alpinas and macropetalas groups of clematis are ideal for shade and for containers. These hardy, perennial, woody vines bloom in early spring. They do best in north- and east-facing locations. Some of the light-colored, large-flowered hybrid clematis, such as clematis "Nelly Moser," will bloom lightly in shade.

Kiwi VIne

• The variegated kiwi vine (Actinidia kolomikta) is a woody vine grown for its colorful and attractive foliage. Make sure you get a male plant for the attractive pink, white and green variegated foliage. It needs sun to produce fruit, but for colorful foliage in shade, it is a winner.

Honeysuckle

• Honeysuckle vines require sun to bloom fully, but they will bloom lightly in some shade. Three good candidates for a container are Lonicera brownii "Dropmore Scarlet", Lonicera heckrottii "Goldflame" or Lonicera sempervirens "Alabama Crimson." They prefer cool to moderate climates and do not do well in warm zones.

Sweet Potato Vine

• The sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) has become extremely popular in recent years as a container accent plant noted for its dramatic foliage. It comes in a range of interesting shapes, sizes and colors, including bicolors. The dark colors are not as vibrant in shade as the lighter colors are, but still are very useful as a backdrop for other plants. It does not withstand frost, but you can easily replace it each year. It is readily available alongside annual bedding plants.

Purple Hyacinth Bean

• This vine is an annual in most of the country. It produces fragrant pink blooms in summer and as an added bonus produces dramatic purple seedpods at the end of the season. In shade, the number of blooms is limited, but it is worth growing even for the attractive purple-tinged foliage.

Star Jasmine

• Star jasmine, also known as Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), will survive temperatures as low as 16 degrees Fahrenheit. In colder climates, you can grow it in a container and overwinter it indoors. This tender perennial vine opens its blooms in the evening or in cool temperatures. To enjoy the sweet fragrance, place it close to family gatherings, such as on a deck or patio. It blooms in partial-shade conditions, but you can get even more blooms if you move the container to a sunny area for a few hours during the day. It may be worth the trouble for this very special plant!