Propagatable Vines

Trumpet Creeper

• Hummingbirds flock to trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), a rugged vine that seems to thrive on neglect. It grows well in partial shade to full sun and can grow to 40 feet. The cultivar Crimson Trumpet is deep red; Atropurpurea and Praecox are both scarlet, and the smaller Minor cultivar is orange and scarlet. Trumpet creeper is rooted readily from both soft and hardwood cuttings. If time is not an issue, you can also start vines from seed. Stratify seeds for two months at 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit to speed up germination.

Star Jasmine

• Also known as confederate jasmine, star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is not a true jasmine. It produces very fragrant white flower clusters -- which are attractive to bees -- in spring and summer. Vines with glossy green leaves can reach 20 feet long with support. Star jasmine does well on posts, poles and small trellises, and is also effective as ground cover. You can even grow it as trailing plant in hanging containers. Leafy cuttings of partly mature wood will root easily.

Virginia Creeper

• An attractive deciduous vine that produces bright scarlet to maroon fall color and bird-friendly berries, Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a member of the grape family. Like other vines, it's not too picky about soil, and grows well in partial shade as well as sun, though the best fall color develops in the sun. If you can keep the birds away from them the purple-black berries mature into viable seeds that can be planted in the fall or stratified for two months at 40 degrees Fahrenheit then planted in the spring. You can also plant hardwood cuttings outdoors in spring, or take leafy softwood cuttings in late summer and root them under mist.

Boston Ivy

• Virginia creeper's big-city cousin, Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is that verdant, dark green vine growing on the brick buildings of Ivy League colleges and universities. Boston ivy tolerates poor soils, neglect and severe climate conditions. Yet for all that it produces stunning scarlet fall leaf color. Not surprisingly, it also produces grape-like berries similar to those of Virginia creeper. Propagate Boston ivy by growing it from seed, sticking hardwood cuttings outside in spring or rooting late-summer softwood cuttings.