Fast-Growing Climbing Vine Non-Toxic to Dogs

This Might Scratch a Little

• Sarsparilla plant (Smilax hispida), also known commonly as greenbrier and catbrier, grows quickly to a height of 20 to 40 feet and is not toxic to dogs, although they may get a scratch on their noses if they investigate the vine too closely. Its stems are clad in weak, bristly prickles. It is not an especially attractive vine but, when multiple sarsparilla plants are grown in a row, they will grow into a formidable barrier. If a male is planted with several females, the females will produce berries for the birds. It will grow in partial shade or full sun and is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8.

Some Like it Hot

• Grape ivy (Cissus alata syn. Cissus rhombifolia and Rhoicissus rhombifolia) is an evergreen tropical vine that grows quickly to a height of 6 to 10 feet and is not toxic to dogs. Grape ivy is in the same family as grape vines that produce table and wine grapes (Vitis spp.), which are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, and the rich green, glossy, deeply cut leaves bear a striking resemblance. It is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 12 and grows best in partial or bright shade. There are cultivars that are slightly different from the species plant. “Fiona” (Cissus alata “Fiona”) and “Mandiana Compacta” (Cissus alata “Mandiana Compacta”) are more compact with shorter stems and wider leaflets. “Mandiana” (Cissus alata “Mandiana”) has a more coarse appearance, and “Ellen Danica” (Cissus alata “Ellen Danica”) has larger leaves that are deeply lobed, giving it a more fine-looking texture.

Pretty in Pink, Yellow, Red, Orange …

• Climbing roses (Rosa spp.), while not technically vines, are not toxic to dogs, and many of them grow very quickly. Flower colors vary from white to pink, red, yellow, orange or a combination of colors. “Colette” (Rosa “Meiroupis” “Colette”), for example, is a Romantica series rose that grows vigorously to a height of 5 to 7 feet and blooms from spring to first frost, producing large, fragrant pink flowers. It is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. “Lutea” banksia rose (Rosa banksias “Lutea”) is a larger fast-growing climber that grows to a height of 15 to 20 feet and produces double-form yellow flowers in the spring. It is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10. Both of these roses require a full-sun exposure to look their best.

Landscape with Passion

• Passionflowers, passion vines or maypops (Passiflora spp.) are fast-growing vines that are not toxic to dogs, and they produce showy flowers and fruit. Wild passionflower vines (Passiflora incarnata) are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, although they should be planted in a protected site in USDA zone 5. They grow to a height of 6 to 8 feet and produce unusual-looking, fragrant, purple-and-white flowers during summer. The flowers are followed by small, oval fruits that ripen to yellow in the fall. Blue passionflower vines (Passiflora caerulea) are hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9. They grow to a height of 10 to 25 feet and produce large, purplish-blue-and-white flowers in summer. Their fruits ripen to orange in late summer or fall. Purple passionfruit vines (Passiflora edulis) and red passion flower vines (Passiflora coccinea) are hardy in USDA zones 10 to 12 and grow to a height of 10 to 15 feet. Purple passionfruit vines produce fragrant, purple-and-white flowers in the spring followed by small, oval fruits that ripen to purple in late spring or early summer. Red passion flower or red granadilla vines produce bright red flowers in the summer followed by yellow-orange fruits. Passionflower vines prefer a full-sun exposure, but wild passionflower vines and blue passionflower vines can be grown in partial shade. Purple passionfruit vines are considered invasive in some locations.