Climbing Vines in Miami, Florida

For Sunny Sites

• For sites in your Miami landscape that receive more than six hours of direct sunlight each day between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., choose vines that prefer full sun exposure. These include the purple allamanda (Allamanda violacea), an evergreen vine that blooms with showy purple blossoms that age to pink. Hardy in USDA zones 9b through 11, the purple allamanda grows as a vine when provided with support, but can also grow as a shrub when left unsupported. Another evergreen, the bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) grows to 40 feet when supported. This thorny evergreen produces flower-like bracts in a range of colors, from scarlet to white. It's hardy in zones 9b to 11.

For Shady Sites

• Choose vines that thrive in partial or full shade for your Miami planting sites that receive less then four hours of direct sun each day. The Dutchman's pipe (Aristolochia elegans) is named for its pipe-shaped purple-white flowers. This tender evergreen twines up to 15 feet tall and is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10. The mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera) is native to south Florida. This hanging cactus vine is hardy in zone 9b to 10 and thrives in light to full shade. The bleeding heart glorybower ( Clerodendrum thomsoniae) prefers partially shaded sites and is hardy in zones 10 to 11. This African native grows to 6 feet tall and has glossy evergreen foliage. It blooms with eye-catching white and red flowers.

For Coastal Sites

• If you live near the ocean, choose vines that tolerate salt spray and saline soil, such as the chalice vine or cup of gold (Solandra maxima). A member of the nightshade family, this tropical vine climbs using aerial rootlets and can reach lengths of more than 200 feet. Its yellow blossoms emit a pleasant fragrance that's especially pronounced at night. Chalice vine is hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11. The cape honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) also tolerates salt spray. This evergreen vine blooms with bright red-orange, tube-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Cape honeysuckle is hardy in zones 9 to 11 and tolerates drought once it's established.

For Moist Sites

• For moist or occasionally wet sites, choose vines such as the split-leaf philodendron or monstera (Monstera deliciosa). This 30-foot-long vine has 36-inch foliage that produces dense shade. Hardy in USDA zones 10b to 11, the split-leaf philodendron blooms with fragrant, white flowers and grows well in containers. The Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) climbs using both adhesive discs and tendrils. This North American native tolerates a range of site conditions, including wet soil, clay and drought. It's hardy in zones 3 through 10 and produces black-blue fruits that attract birds.