This article has been taken from “Water- Conserving Gardens and Landscapes Water- Saving Ideas Plant Selection List Home Drip Irrigation Guide Easy- Care Landscapes All- Region Zone Maps” By “John M. O’ Keefe”. Vines for Dramatic Beauty is an excellent idea to beautify the surroundings which is well explained at “Tree Removal Hayward CA”
Ornamental vines happen to be among the most decorative and functional of plant forms. With good control, they can be used beneficially in the water- conserving landscape. Since vines not only climb walls, fences, and trellises, but also will spread across the ground, they also can serve as excellent ground covers. There are many species of vines, both native and imported, that have adapted to almost any climatic zone. The following is a selection of the most drought- resistant species that are suitable for the xeriscape garden.
Blood- trumpet(Distictis buccinatoria ) is one of several evergreen Distictis vines with 4- inch long, red flowers with yellow throats( formerly named Bignonia). B F G, 10 there are also trumpet vine species that are suitable for cold winter climates: Cross vine (Bignoniacapreolata) and trumpet vine
(Campsis radicans), which is native to the eastern United States. A to G, 6 to 9
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) are some of the most beautiful and colourful of the tropical evergreen vines, but are not vines for cold winter climates. They will survive limited frost damage if grown against a warm wall. If not trained and pruned to a wall or terrace, they will spread out as a ground cover or form into a loose, sprawling shrub. B F G, 10
Cape- honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis) is an evergreen vine from South Africa that thrives in sun and heat. It cannot be grown in cold winter climates. It has very fine, dark green- textured foliage with brilliant orange and red tubular blossoms. It also can be used as a ground cover for banks or steep slopes. B F G, 9 to 10
Cat’s claw (Macfadyenaa unguis- cati) is a partly deciduous vine that loses its leaves in cold winters. It is a very high, fast climber that grows to 25 to 40 feet with yellow trumpet flowers. B F G, 9 to 10
Cup- of- gold (Solandraguttata) is an evergreen vine that resists fog, salt spray, and wind. It is a very fast grower with broad, glossy leaves and golden yellow flowers with purple spots. It has sprawling growth to 40 feet. If you live along the pacific coast, this evergreen vine is for you. B G, 10
Euonymus (Euonymusfortunei)
Grape ivy (Cissus trifoliate) is low climbing deciduous vine that is related to Virginia creeper and is easy to grow in almost any soil. It is very woodsy looking with luscious, green leaves and is drought resistant. B G, 10
Grapevine (Vitis spp.) Are deciduous vines for ornamental, fruit, wine, or shade purposes with species that will grow in almost any climate. The European vines (Vitisvinifera) are generally more drought tolerant. Grape- vines make an excellent arbor or shade over a walkway, deck, or terrace; they even look good when they are dormant because of their thick, twining, gnarled branches. A to G, 5 to 10
Potato Vine (Solanumjasminoides) is an evergreen or deciduous vine, depending on winter temperature. It has clusters of long blooming, white flowers and is a very fast growing vine. B F G, 9 to 10
Virgin’s- bower (Clematisligustifolia) is a small- flowered woody vine that grows to 20 feet high. Its flowers are very aromatic with beautiful plumbed seed heads. A to G, 3 to 9
Wisteria (Wisteria spp.) are woody deciduous vines that are very long- lived and will grow to tremendous size of allowed. They are very beautiful with purple/blue/ violet flowers that do, however, take a few years to bloom. Japanese wisteria (W. floribunda) has varieties with flowers in shades of pink, white, purple, and lavender. They can be trained along a fence or arbor and can reach 100 feet or more. B F G, 5 to 10
Continue reading on Choosing Trees