Fine Vines

It's never too early in the season to scout for new landscape plants. Here are some of the latest innovative vine introductions from Monrovia, Asuza, Calif. For more on Monrovia's exclusive line of shrubs, see the January issue of Lawn & Landscape magazine.

Among Monrovia's four new vine selections is Surprise Bouquet Lilac Vine Combination. This twining evergreen vine produces large, cascading sprays of white, purple and pink flowers from late winter into early spring. This triad of color is suitable for walls, fences, arbors or as a trailing groundcover, reaching more than 8 feet in length. The groundcover prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained, light soil that is kept evenly moist. It is appropriate for USDA Cold Zones 9 to 11.

Lavendar Swirl Lilac Vine Combination features large, cascading sprays of purple and white flowers backed by medium green evergreen foliage. Its twining stems reach more than 8 feet in length and are ideal for walls, fences, arbors or as a trailing groundcover. This variety does best in full sun to part shade in well-drained, light soil that is kept evenly moist. It does best in USDA Cold Zones 9 to 11.

Balboa Sunset Trumpet Vine, sometimes referred to as Hummingbird Vine, is a vigorous grower ideal for a trellis or creating a screen. Flowers are deep red and 2½ to 3 inches long, in clusters of four to 12, which attract hummingbirds after the sweet nectar. The hardy vine's glossy green foliage turns a light yellow color in fall and grows in virtually any soil. This vine prefers USDA Cold Zones 4 to 11.

Avalanche Clematis, an evergreen, is named for its avalanche of pure white flowers. This vigorous grower will quickly cover a wall or fence, or make an ideal groundcover trailing down banks or large, rocky areas. Foliage is deep green, leathery and fern-like, and each leaf has a glossy, fleshy texture that provides contrast against the white flowers. These relatively drought-tolerant plants prefer full to partial sun and do best in USDA Cold Zones 7 to 9.

The author is Contributing Editor to Lawn & Landscape magazine.