Types of Southern Creeping Vines

Kudzu

• Kudzu, Pueraria lobata, is often the bane of Southern properties because of its explosive growth and durable nature. It is a semi-woody, perennial vine that is in the pea family. The vine flowers in late summer and then produces small, flattened seed pods. Kudzu can grow up to 60 feet in a growing season. It can quickly cover other foliage in an area, girdling trees and blocking out sunlight. It spreads through runners, rhizome and seeds, which makes it a formidable competitor for other plants. Kudzu is difficult to control. Remove it by the roots and use herbicides.

Wisteria

• Wisteria, Wisteria spp., is creeping vine often found on Southern properties. It can grow to 25 feet tall or more, bearing violet-blue flowers. Two types are popular in gardens, Chinese wisteria, sinensis variety, has flowers that bloom to 6 inches to a foot long and open all at once. Japanese wisteria, floribunda variety, with gradually opening flowers. Twining wisteria stems can damage nearby foliage. Regular pruning will keep the vine in check. Wisteria is hardy in zones 3 to 9.

Japanese Honeysuckle

• Japanese Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica, is an aggressive, woody, semi-evergreen or evergreen vine with 3-inch leaves and bears tubular white flowers in late spring and summer. The flowers mature to a blue-black fruit It can grow to more than 30 feet and quickly cover adjacent plants. Japanese honeysuckle is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 8, according to North Carolina State University's website.

Trumpet Vine

• Campsis radicans, or trumpet vine, is a woody vine that can grow to 35 feet tall with leaves that are dark green on the upper surface and lighter green on the lower. It bears red or reddish orange, trumpet-shaped flowers throughout the summer months. It spread through aerial rootlets that can damage structures. Mowing will help to control its growth. Trumpet vine is hardy in zones 4 to 10.

Creeping Fig

• The creeping fig, Ficus pumila, is a vigorous climbing vine, covered with small heart-shaped leaves. It will grow in almost any kind of soil, and can grow in sun or shade. Less fertile soils will help to limit its excessive growth, according to the website Floridata. Vines bear small fruits on horizontal branches. Prune this vine several times each year to control the growth. Creeping fig is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11. It can tolerate freezing temperatures for short periods of time.