Although one often thinks of a garden arch clothed in climbing roses, there are many beautiful flowering vines that require much less maintenance. You can have stunning blooms all summer with no pruning, no spraying, and no fertilizing, and at very little cost! Growing annual vines from seed is a fantastic way to make a colorful splash in your garden, and remarkably easy as well.
Nasturtium 'Phoenix', showing off its uniquely incised flower petals. Photo courtesy Renee's Garden, www.reneesgarden.com
Flowering Vines to Grow From Seed
We've put together a list of our favorite flowering vines that you can grow from seed with a minimum of effort--perfect to quickly decorate your arch, trellis, pillar or obelisk. You can plant one of these on the opposite side of a smaller arch while you're waiting for your perennial vine or climbing rose to fill in. Most of these grow fast enough to be an effective seasonal screen . They can also grow well on trellises in large planters--if you need privacy on a balcony, for instance.
The most enjoyable aspect of using annual flowering vines on your arch or trellis is that you can try different varieties every year, for even more excitement in your garden! They're the perfect way to add height and color, with a minimum of expense and effort. Several of these seed-grown flowering vines are also edible, providing added benefit.
Moonflower Vine (Ipomoea alba): Flowering Vine with Fragrant Flowers
Enormous and impressive, 4-6 inch pure white fragrant flowers bloom on twining vines that reach 10-12 feet. You can actually watch the huge buds unfurl all at once in early evening. Individual flowers last only through the night, generally fading by noon the next day. Oh, so easy to grow—just nick the seed coat (called "scarification") and place between a few layers of wet paper towel overnight, then into a plantable pot (like our Go Grow pots) and keep moist. They will usually germinate within 7 days in warm conditions (about 70 degrees)--sometimes much faster. These don’t like root disturbance, so planting the growing pot directly in the ground is the way to go--make sure there is absolutely no danger of frost, or be ready to protect in that event. Give it a spot in full sun with well-drained soil, keep it watered, and stand back. You'll enjoy watching the hummers and nocturnal sphinx moths that pollinate these incredible flowering vines.
Moonflower's 4-6" fragrant white flowers unfurl at dusk and last only one day
Cardinal Climber and Cypress Vine (Ipomoea spp.): Showy Red Flowering Vines for Hummingbirds
Cypress Vine is actually one of the parents of Cardinal Climber, and both have the same bright red one-inch starry blooms that will attract hummingbirds en masse. But they’re not just a small red morning glory—it’s the foliage that differs and makes these twining flowering vines unique. Take the large, heart shaped morning glory leaf and snip deeply all around the periphery and you have a Cardinal Climber leaf. Now take that leaf and keep snipping away, and you’ll end up with the ferny, feathery foliage of Cypress Vine. Either will add an airy and delicate texture to the garden--a lovely effect even without flowers. Though they look delicate, don’t be fooled—these vigorous vines will grow easily to 15 feet or more. A variety with mixed red, pink, and white blooms, 'Maiden's Feather', is quite pretty, and available from Renee's Garden. Same germination and culture as moonflower & morning glory, but they tend to bloom sooner.
- Cardinal Climber, photo courtesy Renee's Garden
- Cypress vine, photo courtesy Renee's Garden.
'Maiden's Feather' Cypress vine, photo courtesy Renee's Garden.
Both Cardinal and Cypress vine are hummer magnets. Photo courtesy Chris F on Pexels
Cardinal climber on lattice panel in author's garden--before blooming started
Hyacinth Bean (Dolichos lablab or Lablab purpureus): Flowering Vine with Showy Flowers and Seed Pods
A wall covered with blooming hyacinth bean is take-your-breath-away gorgeous. Bright purplish-pink blossoms on purple stems, burgundy toned foliage, and shiny magenta-purple seed pods combine for a spectacular show all summer long. The twining vines will easily grow to 10, 15, or even 20 feet, perfect for arches, arbors, & large trellises or obelisks—or even covering a chain link fence! This one also resents root disturbance, so our Go-Grow pots work well if starting indoors. “Silver Moon” is a white-flowering variety that would truly light up your moon garden. Hyacinth bean can take a bit of shade, and might even appreciate some relief in the afternoon in very hot summer climates. All parts of this legume are edible, except for the mature seeds. Seeds are easily collected for the following year.
Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus): Edible Flowering Vine
Also an edible legume, Scarlet Runner beans can be cooked and eaten like any other bean, and the flowers and young shoots can be added to salads. But the real reason you'll want them is for the flashy bright red flowers that are favorites of hummingbirds. Twining rapidly up to as much as 12 feet in full sun, these are terrific for large arches or pergolas. A popular use is to make a bean teepee--arrange tall stakes or poles in the shape of a teepee, and let the beans cover. Leave an opening to create a secret hideaway for the kids, or for you when you need a quiet respite. Start indoors about 4 weeks before last frost, then plant in full sun after all danger of frost has passed. Regular harvesting will prolong bloom. 'Painted Lady' is an heirloom variety available from Renee's Garden, with beautifully bi-colored coral and white blossoms; 'Golden Sunshine' from Baker Creek combines bright red flowers with stunning chartreuse foliage; 'Sunset,' also from Baker Creek, bears uniquely charming blooms in soft peachy-pink.
Hyacinth Bean 'Moonshadow,' photo courtesy Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company- Purple Hyacinth Bean flowers, photo courtesy Renee's Garden
- 'Painted Lady' runner bean, photo courtesy Renee's Garden
- 'Golden Sunshine' runner bean, photo courtesy Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company
'Sunset' scarlet runner bean, photo courtesy Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company
Climbing Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): Flowering Vine for Poor Soil and Cooler Summers
'Climbing' nasturtiums aren't going to shade you or fly up your fence--they'll probably need a little help to get where they're going. Their gentle ascent is well-suited to small trellises, or simply let them trail from hanging baskets or over walls. But they offer so many wonderful things--including peppery-tasting leaves and flowers, and seed pods that can be pickled and used like capers. Add a preference for poor, relatively dry or sandy soil, soft blue-green rounded foliage and stunning flowers, and you have a plant that deserves any gardener's (or cook's) appreciation. Native to mountain areas, they may struggle some in hot summer regions--a little afternoon shade may provide enough relief. Don't disturb the roots when transplanting, and don't fertilize! Do try a salmon-nasturtium pizza, and enjoy the hummingbirds, who find the nectar particularly sweet. There are also many more varieties of nasturtiums that are mounding varieties, so if you're planning a vertical display make sure you choose a climbing type. Renee's Garden offers 'Climbing Phoenix,' variegated 'Amazon Jewel,' and pale yellow flowered 'Moonlight.' 'Yeti' is a soft yellow trailing variety that can be trained on a small obelisk or trellis, available from Baker Creek.
Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea)
If blue flowers are your thing, then butterfly pea is for you. These gorgeous flowers are commonly used in Thailand to make dye and to color culinary dishes and teas. Teas or extracts of the flowers will turn different colors depending on the PH of what is added--acidic lemon juice, for instance, will turn it purplish-pink. The flowers, young seed pods, and leaves are all edible, too, and it's popular in Ayurvedic medicine. But even if you're not into all that, you'll certainly enjoy the bevy of blue blossoms this plant will produce all summer long. Vines grow quickly up to 15 feet. They bloom best in full sun, although in hot summer areas some afternoon shade can be beneficial. Regular watering in hot, dry spells is appreciated. There's also a white variety, if you're so inclined. Five varieties, including white and double flowered types, are offered by Baker Creek.
- 'Yeti' nasturtium, photo courtesy Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.
www.rareseeds.com
'Climbing Phoenix' nasturtium, photo courtesy Renee's Garden, www.reneesgarden.com
'Amazon Jewel' climbing nasturtium with variegated foliage, photo courtesy Renee's Garden, www.reneesgarden.com
'Thai Double Sky Blue' butterfly pea with luscious soft blue double flowers, photo courtesy Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.- Lovely blue tea made with 'Thai Blue' butterfly pea flowers. Photo courtesy Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. - www.rareseeds.com
Morning Glory Vine (Ipomoea tricolor, I. nil, I. purpurea): Old-Fashioned Favorite Flowering Vine to Grow from Seed
The early-rising cousin of moonflower. Since they must awaken so early, the flowers are a bit smaller—at least that’s my reasoning! Grown with moonflowers, you’ll have flowers morning and evening. Lovely shades of blue, purple and pink. I. purpurea varieties generally have flowers about 2" wide, and I. tricolor varieties an inch or so larger, while the blossoms of I. nil can be as large as 6" across. Germinate and grow same as moonflower. Starting inside is recommended if you want flowers before mid to late summer. Note that I. purpurea and I. triloba species are listed as invasive in a few states, so if you grow these you may want to keep them deadheaded to avoid spreading by seed, especially in warmer regions.
'Split Second' morning glory, photo courtesy Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. - www.rareseeds.com
Morning Glory 'Chocolate,' bears larger than usual flowers. Photo courtesy Baker Creek Seed Co.
'Imperial Japanese Mix' morning glory, photo courtesy Baker Creek Seed, www.rareseeds.com- Morning glory 'Sunrise Serenade' covers a large obelisk, photo courtesy Ball Horticulture
- Morning Glory 'Sunrise Serenade,' photo courtesy Ball Horticulture, www.ballhort.com
Growing Tips for Seed-Grown Flowering Vines
- Use plantable pots for starting seed, like our Go-Grow Kits, to reduce root disturbance. Some plants, like moonflowers for instance, will suffer setbacks due to root disturbance when transplanting. Plantable pots remove that worry and allow you to start your seeds inside, which may bring blooms many weeks earlier versus direct sowing.
- Scarifying seeds with hard seed coats aids in germination. Nick the seed coat with a nail file or similar implement, or scar lightly with sandpaper.
- Soaking the seed overnight in wet paper towels, alone or combined with scarification, speeds germination.
- Germinate and grow seedlings indoors in temperatures about 65 to 70 degrees--cooler temps will impede growth.
- Transplant once all danger of frost is past, and protect in the event of unanticipated cold weather.
- Keep transplants moist while rooting in. Once new growth commences water as needed to prevent wilting. Like excess nitrogen, too frequent watering may reduce blooms.
- Collect seed heads for planting the following year once the seed pods are mature--dry and brown. Beans and moonflowers will form large, easily noticeable seed pods--you'll have to look a little closer for the others.
Photos and Seed Sources:
Renee's Garden: reneesgarden.com
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.: rareseeds.com
Note: Our plant recommendations are only suggestions, and may not be appropriate for your particular area. Always consult your local cooperative extension service, master gardener's program, or state natural resources department for information on what plants may be invasive in your location. Thank you!
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