Evergreen Vines That Like Full Sun

Hot, Humid Conditions

• Carolina jessamine, Gelsemium sempervirens, is the state flower of South Carolina. It prefers humid conditions, and you’ll see it growing wild in that state in sunny areas or along lightly shaded edges of woods as well as in cultivated gardens, on fences and trellises or as a ground cover. The bright yellow flowers are lightly scented. The plants are toxic, so avoid planting Carolina jessamine where children or pets will play. The toxins also serve as natural pesticide, so insects don’t bother these vines and deer don’t eat them. Cross vine, Bignonia capreolata, prefers similar growing conditions, with blossoms of orange-pink with yellow throats. More cold-hardy than Carolina jessamine, cross vine retains green leaves even after a light frost. Both of these vines can be pruned or trimmed to shape or left to wander naturally.

Fragrance

• In a mild climate, plant Clematis armandii in full sun for an evergreen vine that is covered with fragrant, pure white flowers in the spring. In cold climates, the vines drop their leaves after frost, but in southern areas from USDA Zones 7b to 9 they retain their leathery green leaves all winter. Clematis armandii benefits from partial shade in hot, dry areas. Like all clematis, it grows best if its roots are shaded and cool while the above-ground vines receive sun. A related evergreen Clematis cultivar called 'Apple Blossom' has showy pink flower buds that also perfume the air.

Ivy

• English ivy, Hedera helix, is a tough, resilient evergreen plant that grows in a variety of soil and temperature conditions. It thrives in full sun or deepest shade, and you can allow it to climb walls, fences or trees, or trim it into an 8-inch-high ground cover. Because it is mildly toxic, rabbits and deer won’t bother it.

Soil and Culture

• Plant sun-loving evergreen vines in well-drained, fertile soil. Mix in humus at planting time, and add compost annually to maintain soil tilth and fertility. Provide ample water -- drip or trickle irrigation systems make the most efficient use of your water resources. Organic mulch helps block weeds as it reduces evaporative moisture loss. Fertilize monthly with a water-soluble, balanced organic fertilizer, 5-5-5.

Propagation

• A desirable trait of vines is that you can propagate them easily. Most will root readily where nodes contact the soil, creating new plants that you can snip apart and transplant. Vines that bloom also produce seeds, and many self-seed and multiply rapidly. You can also root pruned sections and snipped trimmings of vines in water or moist soil and transplant them.