Tropical Vines for Shade

Requires Support

• Some vines need support in the form of stakes or ties to climb. Brown bud allamama vines (Allamanda cathartica) thrive in partial shade and bloom year-round with large yellow and pink-red flowers. This perennial grows from 6 to 8 feet long and prefers well-drained, moist soil. This sprawling vine needs support to climb.

  Herald's trumpet (Beaumontia grandiflora) blooms in early spring through summer with 5-inch, white, trumpet-shaped and fragrant flowers. This climbing vine requires support and has large, 9-inch-long foliage. Herald's trumpet climbs by twining and tolerates salty sites and partial shade.

For Well-Drained Soil

• Certain species thrive when soil has excellent drainage. The bleeding heart (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) blooms from summer through autumn with showy clusters of red and white flowers. This twining vine grows best in partially shady sites and grows to 15 feet long. Bleeding hearts prefer moist, well-drained soil and tolerate some salinity.

  The bridal bouquet or Madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) grows to 15 feet long and prefers partial shade to sun and well-drained soil. This twining vine blooms with white, aromatic clusters of waxy flowers in summer. Bridal bouquet has glossy, 4-inch-long evergreen foliage.

Wildlife-Attracting

• Some species attract beneficial wildlife. Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis), a deciduous vine, grows to 20 feet long. This heat-, drought- and salt-tolerant vine blooms from spring through winter with bright orange, highly fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. Plant cape honeysuckle in light shade and sandy soil.

  The calico flower (Aristolochia littoralis) thrives in sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. This twining vine has fine stems and blooms with white and purple, pipe-shaped blossoms from summer through winter. The calico flower attracts butterflies and grows rapidly.

Afternoon Shade

• Some tropical vines grow best with morning sun and afternoon shade. The mandevilla (Mandevilla x amabalis) thrives in afternoon shade and regularly irrigated soil. This tropical perennial can be grown as an annual or in containers in cooler climates. Mandevillas grow 8 to 10 feet long and produce showy, 3- to 4-inch reddish-pink flowers. They grow quickly and climb with twining stems.

  The black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata) grows best in afternoon shade. This evergreen perennial blooms with aromatic yellow, white, orange and pink flowers in late summer. Black-eyed Susan vines grow rapidly to 8 feet long and climb with slender, twining stems. Plant in light, well-drained soil.