Scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus coc- cineus): 10 to 15 feet. Scarlet flowers at- For more information on gardening tract hummingbirds. Bright green leaves. please visit: Edible as snap beans when young or shell http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/ beans later. The Charm horticulture/index.php Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus): Up to 6 or feet. Flowers in many colors are often fra- of grant. Prefers cool weather, sow in early call University of Illinois Extension spring. Deadhead to encourage flowering. Knox County Office 309-342-5108 Annual Vines Morning Glory Family (Ipomoea) - Twin- ers, prefer warm weather, grow vigorously Other information brochures can be found and may self-sow. Most have trumpet- online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ shaped flowers in various colors. Nick hkmw/hort.html seeds and soak overnight before planting. Developed and Written by Cardinal climber (I. x multifida): 10 to 20 Knox County Master Gardeners feet. Red flowers attract hummingbirds and University of Illinois Extension butterflies. Palm-shaped leaves. July 2014 Cypress vine (I. quamoclit): 10 to 20 feet. Bright red star-shaped flowers. Feathery leaves. Attracts hummingbirds. Moonflower (I. alba): 10 to 15 feet. Large white fragrant flowers open at night. Heart- shaped leaves. Morning glory (I. purpurea, I. tricolor): 10 to 20 feet. Flowers open in morning and University of Illinois ~U.S. Department of close in the afternoon in shades of purple, Agriculture ~ Local Extension Councils red, blue, and white. Large heart-shaped Cooperating leaves. University of Illinois Extension provides Garden Tips Spanish flag (I. lobata, also Mina lobata): equal opportunities in programs and Also called firecracker vine. 10 to 20 feet. employment. from Flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red on one side of flower stalk. Knox County Sweet potato vine (I. batatas): 6 to 10 feet. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINO IS EXTENSION Master Gardeners Grown for green, purple, or variegated foli- HENDERSON, KNOX, MCD O N O U G H age. Flowers are absent or insignificant. AND WARREN COUNTIES Can grow in shade. Produces tubers that are edible but not tasty - these can be saved and planted the following year. Knox County Office 180 S. Soangetaha Rd. Suite 108 This is just a sampling. Vines, especially Galesburg, IL 61401 as plants, may not be widely available. Do Phone: 309-342-5108 a little research, look around, start some Fax: 309-342-1768 seeds, and have fun trying something dif- Email: [email protected] ferent. Vines can add a new dimension to the land- enough away from buildings or walls to pro- less otherwise stated, most prefer full sun scape. They can be used to add vertical vide good ventilation. and well-drained soil and thrive in hot weath- interest, maximize small spaces, or soften There are many options available, some at- er. Most bloom all summer. Vine length the lines of buildings or hardscape. They tractive by themselves and some strictly utili- may vary depending on growing conditions. can be used as screens to provide privacy tarian until covered by plants. Use trellises of Black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata): or hide problem areas. Some have flowers various shapes and sizes, arbors, fences, A- 4 to 8 feet. Orange, yellow, or white flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. frames, teepees, cages, living supports, or with dark center. They can climb up trellises but also look anything else the plant can climb on. Canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum): good spilling out of containers or hanging 5 to 10 feet. Bright yellow fringed flowers, baskets. Tips for Using Vines lobed leaves. Likes cool temperatures, tol- An easy way to start is by growing annual Screening: Select fast-growing vines with erates some shade. Related to nasturtium. vines. They are not permanent - you can larger leaves. For a denser vine plant closer Climbing nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): experiment to see what works in different together and pinch to encourage branching. 5 to 10 feet. Flowers in many colors. Flow- locations, or just have a different look every Scarlet runner bean, hyacinth bean, cup-and- ers and leaves edible with peppery flavor. summer. They must be replanted every saucer vine, love-in-a-puff, and most varieties Choose climbing varieties. Blooms best in year, but you don’t have to worry about of morning glories are good choices. light, relatively infertile soil. pruning or trying to keep an aggressive vine Containers: Shorter vines such as black- in check. Of course, some annuals will self- Climbing snapdragon (Asarina antirrhini- eyed Susan vine, nasturtium, sweet pea, or folia, A. scandens): Up to 8 feet. Purple, seed or grow quite quickly and can over- sweet potato vine can be grown on a small whelm an inappropriate location. white, or pink flowers. Deadhead for better support in a container or allowed to spill over flowering. the sides. Vines trailing out of a hanging bas- How to Support Vines ket add a downward vertical dimension. Cup-and-saucer vine (Cobaea scandens): Most annual vines climb by twining or using 15 to 25 feet. Purple or white cup-shaped Kids: Vines are a good way to introduce flowers in green “saucer”. Fragrant. tendrils. Twiners wind their stem around the children to gardening. Try growing plants support. Plants are pre-programmed to that attract hummingbirds or butterflies, Jack- Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus): 10 to wind either clockwise or counterclockwise. and-the-Beanstalk vines, or ornamental 20 feet. Fragrant purplish-pink flowers, pur- If you try to “help” a vine and wrap the stem gourds with their varied shapes, textures, and ple-green leaves, shiny reddish-purple pods. the wrong way, the plant may unwind from colors. Edible. the support and try to reattach correctly. Fashioning a teepee out of poles and planting Love-in-a-puff (Cardiospermum halica- Tendrils are specialized thin wiry structures vines around the outside (leaving an opening cabum): Also called balloon vine. Up to 10 that try to wrap around anything they con- for a door) provides a fun hideaway on a feet. Insignificant white flowers. Balloon-like tact. They require something small enough summer day. Use ornamental gourds, runner seed pods open to reveal dark seeds with to grab hold of, such as wire or very thin beans, or any fast-growing flowering vine. white heart-shaped mark. strips of wood. Space-saving vegetable gardening: Grow Malabar spinach (Basella alba, B. rubra): 6 All vines will need a little initial training to cucumbers, peas, or summer squash on trel- to 10 feet. Grow for glossy foliage, some direct them toward the support, and perhaps lises or A-frames. Let runner beans climb up have red stems and veins. Can be cooked redirection if they start growing where you corn stalks. and used like spinach. don’t want them. Mandevilla (Mandevilla spp.): Up to 10 feet. It’s important to choose the right supporting A Few Ornamental Vines to Try Clusters of pink, red, white, or yellow trum- structure - the plant must be able to hold on pet-shaped flowers, glossy leaves. Grow in Many annuals can be sown directly in the part shade. Can be overwintered indoors. and the structure must be strong enough to ground, but for earliest flowers buy trans- support the mature plant. When in doubt, plants if available or start seeds indoors. Ornamental gourds (Curcurbita spp., Lage- choose a stronger structure than you think Some “annuals” are actually tropical perenni- naria spp.): up to 30 feet. Interesting you’ll need. Use quality material and con- als that will not survive winters here. Some shapes, textures, and colors. Harvest just sider anchoring the support to a building or of these can be overwintered indoors. Un- before frost, allow to dry for several weeks, in the ground. Place any support far and use for crafts or fall and winter décor.