Good Vines for the Desert

Queen's Wreath

• The Queen's Wreath is deciduous, meaning it hibernates in the winter before blooming again in the spring. A desert vine that prefers hot sun, the Queen's Wreath can grow to 15 feet in both height and width. A native of Mexico, the vine sprouts bright pink or white flowering clusters and green leaves. It is a fast-growing vine that requires only moderate amounts of water. The Queen's Wreath can be planted adjacent to a swimming pool without being affected by the chemicals of the pool. It drops a minimum of thornless leaves and its low water requirements won't affect the pool decking.

Bougainvillea

• The bold colors of a bougainvillea flower brighten the desert environment. Growing as vines on the sides of buildings, at entryways, as hedging or as a potted plant decorating a patio, the bougainvillea is an evergreen native to Brazil that produces bright color year round. An untamed bougainvillea grows to 15 feet high and over 20 feet in width. The bougainvillea has a moderate growth rate and responds well to pruning and shaping. The flowers drop constantly, which makes bougainvillea unwelcome around swimming pools. The bougainvillea doesn't like "wet feet" and grows best if left to a desert environment with little watering.

Potato Vine

• Flowering year-round in a frost-free environment, the potato vine's leaves are a purple-green, and its flowers are white. It is an ideal plant for the top of an open pergola, as it creates its own roof if guided across the beams. The potato vine prefers full sun and moderate water. A native of Brazil, the vine can grow to 30 feet tall and 10 feet wide.

Lady Bank's Rose

• With tiny pink flowers that produce little fragrance, the Lady Bank's Rose is nonetheless an attractive desert vine. A native of China, the vine can grow to 20 feet high and 15 feet wide in a fast-growing, sprawling pattern. Flowers appear in the spring -- but as an evergreen, its leaves remain bold throughout the year. The vine needs little maintenance, and its demand for water is moderate.

Pink Trumpet Vine

• In the late summer and leading into fall, the pink trumpet vine flowers with clusters of pink. It is a semi-evergreen and maintains its green leaves most of the year. A native of Africa and South Africa, the pink trumpet vine can grow to 20 feet high and 10 feet wide, and its water needs are low. While preferring full sun, it can thrive when temperatures dip to the low 20s during the winter.

Cat's Claw

• Tolerant of high-desert temperatures that dip to the 15-degree mark in winter, the cat's claw likes full, partial and reflected sun. A native of Central America, the vine attaches itself to a wall and grows to 25 feet. It requires frequent deep pruning after it blooms to keep it from getting top heavy. Yellow trumpet-shaped blooms appear in late March through April. A second blooming may appear in the fall.