Evergreen Vines for the South

Armand's Clematis

• Many types of flowering clematis vines are partially evergreen in the South, but easy-to-grow evergreen or Armand's clematis (Clematis armandii) is completely so. Beautiful whether blooming or not, evergreen clematis can climb via leaf tendrils to 20 feet -- but only if you provide it with something sturdy to climb on, a trait which makes it fairly easy to limit its height or reach. In late winter vines produce abundant clusters of fragrant white flowers. A pink-flowered cultivar of evergreen clematis, native to China, is also available. These vines generally do well in partial shade, but in cooler climates, give them a little more sun.

Confederate Jasmine

• Not a true jasmine, star or Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is another rugged, easy-care evergreen vine. According to North Carolina University Extension, these vines do well in both partial shade and sun, but can be killed to the ground in winter when grown in the sun. Madision is the hardiest cultivar. Others include Japonicum, which turns bronze in winter; the dwarf Minimum and Variegata, with variegated leaves. Small, very fragrant white star-shaped flowers appear in spring.

Cross Vine

• An evergreen relative of trumpet creeper vines, the native cross vine (Bignonia capreolata) is robust and woody, climbing to 50 feet. Foliage is glossy and deep green, but after winter frosts it can take on a reddish cast. The spectacular spring trumpet-shaped flowers, in shades of red, brick, orange and yellow, attract hummingbirds galore. Cultivars are not fragrant, but some uncultivated native vines are. Vines do best in full sun but will grow in partial shade, though with fewer flowers.

Jessamine Vines

• Emblems of Southern living, flowering jessamine vines can grow to 20 feet. Very fragrant Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), which grows throughout the South and is South Carolina's state flower, features delicate vines and bright yellow flowers and can also be grown as ground cover. Autumn-flowering or swamp jessamine (Gelsemium rankinii),native to the Southeast, produces abundant flowers in fall as well as spring though its blooms aren't fragrant. Both vines adapt to moist soils but can become drought tolerant. All parts of both plants are poisonous.

Jackson Vine

• Elsewhere this tough-as-nails vine is known as evergreen smilax or greenbrier, but in the south they know it as Jackson vine, because ladies in Alabama decorated their dining tables with it when they hosted Stonewall Jackson. Evergreen smilax (Smilax smallii, previously S. lanceolata) is considered the best species for home use, because notorious thorns grow only around the base. Very attractive foliage makes an effective trellised privacy screen.