Vines That Can Climb a Smooth Pole

For Fruits

• Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) climbs using adhesive-tipped tendrils. Hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9, this deciduous vine grows quickly up to 50 feet long and thrives in sun to partial shade. A North American native, Virginia creeper tolerates salt and draws birds with its black-blue fruits. Boston ivy or Japanese creeper (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) supports itself with tendrils tipped with adhesive discs. This Asian native thrives in moist sites in sun to partial shade. Its foliage turns maroon in autumn and is offset by blue-black berries. A fast-growing vine that reaches lengths of 60 feet, Boston ivy is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8.

For Flowers

• Flowers add color and fragrance to the landscape. The cross vine (Bignonia capreolata) uses adhesive-tipped tendrils to climb. An evergreen, the cross vine grows in USDA zones 6 to 9 and attracts hummingbirds with its showy, red-orange flowers. This 50-foot-long vine thrives in sun to partial shade and dry to moist sites. For scent and color, plant a sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus). This annual vine grows to 6 feet and blooms in a range of colors, from red to white. Sweet pea vines grow best in cool sites with moist, well-draining soil.

For Sun

• For sites that receive full sun exposure, choose sun-loving vines such as Japanese hydrangea (Schizophragma hydrangeoides). It flowers with white blossoms and produces the best color in sunny sites. A deciduous vine hardy in USDA zones 6 to 8, this Asian native climbs using small, sticky rootlets and tolerates hot, wet sites. Sevenleaf creeper (Parthenocissus heptaphylla) grows best in full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 8b to 9, this deciduous vine grows rapidly to 20 feet long and has glossy foliage. It climbs using rootlets and prefers well-draining soil.

For Shade

• Choose shade-tolerant vines for sites that receive less than six hours of sun each day. Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. Petiolaris) uses its tiny aerial rootlets to climb. This deciduous vine grows slowly to 50 feet and blooms with clusters of white flowers in spring and summer. Hardy in USDA zones 6 to 7, the climbing hydrangea grows well in sun or shade. Algerian ivy (Hedera algeriensis) prefers partial to full shade. An evergreen, it's hardy in USDA zones 7b to 9 and grows to 30 feet, climbing with aerial roots. It tolerates salty sites and prefers moist, well-draining soil. Algerian ivy may grow aggressively.