Climbing Vines for Southern Walls in New York

Cross Vines

• Cross vines (Bignonia capreolata) are semi-evergreen vines with tendrils but the tendrils have sticky discs that allow them to climb up walls. They grow to a height of 35 to 50 feet and width of 6 to 9 feet. Clusters of funnel-shaped, fragrant, red-orange flowers are produced by these vines in the spring. Throughout most of New York, the leaves will drop in the winter after they turn burgundy. “Atrosanguinea” and “Tangerine Beauty” are cultivars that grow to only 15 to 30 feet high. “Atrosanguinea” blooms in burgundy while “Tangerine Beauty” blooms in orange. Cross vines are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9 and thrive on southern walls. The stems might be killed in the winter in USDA zone 5 but will grow back in the spring.

Trumpetcreepers

• Trumpetcreeper or trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a clinging, deciduous vine that grows quickly to a height of 30 to 40 feet and width of 5 to 10 feet. During the summer it produces clusters of red, funnel-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. “Apricot” and “Indian Summer” are smaller cultivars that grow to a height of 12 to 15 feet and width of 3 to 5 feet. “Apricot” blooms in apricot while “Indian Summer“ blooms in red-orange. Trumpetcreeper is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, thrives on southern walls and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9.

Climbing Hydrangeas

• Climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris) are deciduous, clinging vines that usually prefer partial to full shade. They can be grown successfully on southern walls throughout most of New York, though. They grow to a height of 30 to 50 feet and width of 5 to 6 feet with heart-shaped leaves. During the spring and early summer, they produce 6- to 10-inch-wide clusters of white, fragrant flowers. “Miranda” is a variegated cultivar with yellow-edged leaves. Climbing hydrangeas are drought-tolerant, rabbit-resistant and hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8. In USDA zones 4, 5 and 6, they can be grown on a southern wall as long as the soil is kept moist.

Boston Ivies

• Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata syn. Ampelopsis tricuspidata) is a clinging, deciduous vine that grows to a height of 30 to 50 feet and width of 5 to 10 feet. It produces white flowers in the spring and summer followed by dark blue berries which are eaten by birds. The 4- to 8-inch-wide leaves change to bright red and purple in autumn. “Lowii” is a cultivar with smaller leaves. “Fenway Park" is a cultivar with chartreuse foliage. Boston ivy is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, thrives on southern walls and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8. It is considered invasive in a few small areas of New York. Check with the local Extension office before planting this vine.

Virginia Creepers

• Virginia creeper or woodbine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a clinging, deciduous vine that grows to a height of 30 to 50 feet and width of 5 to 10 feet. It blooms in white in the spring and summer and produces dark blue berries. The leaves are purple when they first emerge, change to green in the summer and turn bright red or purple in the fall. The berries are eaten by birds. The engelmannii variety (Parthenocissus quinquefolia var. engelmannii) is not as robust as the species and has smaller leaves. “Monham” (Parthenocissus quinquefolia “Monham“ Star Showers) is a variegated cultivar that is also not as robust as the species. The foliage is cream, green and white and may have a pink blush. Virginia creeper is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, thrives on southern walls and is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9.