I’m trying to create a new flower bed with mostly natives and looking for a flowering climbing plant that is relatively easy to tame to fill this wall space to the right of the door. Any ideas? In zone 8a in the southeast.
by ethjstob
Native Plant Gardening
17 Comments
I was considering a climbing rose, but would prefer something native. Also, I’m not dead set on a climbing plant, if anyone has any other ideas to break up that open space, I’m down to hear them.
I admittedly don’t know much about climbing natives (plus I mostly know Ohio and Michigan plants), however, I would look into passion flower because I think it is the coolest flower in the world and I’m pretty sure it’s a southern native.
Virginia creeper. Fabulous red color in the fall. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t get too crazy.
Not climbing, but still stunning – baptisias. They are absolutely beautiful, you can get three colors from wild types (blue, white, yellow) and more from native selections/hybrids (though these may not be as pollinator efficient). I also adore my American Wisteria (NOT Asian wisterias) though be warned, you will want to keep an eye on it and trim it back if you notice it getting excessively thick. To me, it’s so beautiful that it’s worth some annual maintenance.
Crossvine looks pretty cool!
Pasilfora, crazy and beautiful flowers and yummy fruit. Although can take over. A good variety of honeysuckles are native and climb but make sure you are getting a native one there are so many from all over. Clematis and morning glories may be worth looking into as well but make sure you’re getting a native one.
Clematis virginiana – Virgin’s Bower could be a good fit! I’d say Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) but I think it would be way too bit for that space.
It may be hard to find, but look up what species of Pipevine is native to you. The genus should be in Aristolochia. I think A. macrophylla has a range that persists into some parts of the southeast, although there are other species as well. Host plant for pipevine swallowtails, broad leaves give a beautiful texture.
Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) would be cool!
Maybe (!!) a native trumpet vine! Hummingbirds will love it.
Purple passion flower! Wildly pretty flowers, pretty tame, magnets for Gulf Fritillary butterflies who use it as larval host plant
Native coral honeysuckle.
Maybe Rosa setigera
*Lonicera reticulata* commonly called grape honeysuckle is native to the eastern US and Great Lakes area. It has an unusual bluish color on new growth, circular leaves, yellow flowers and red berries in the fall.
I recommend extending the bed out further before planting anything. The heat absorbed by the brick is going to radiate outward. Also, the overhang of the roof will lessen the amount of rainwater plants get.
I took a look on Gardenia and my goodness, [the southeast has vines](https://www.gardenia.net/plant-finder?filter=plant-types%255B%255D%3Dclimbers%26native-plants%255B%255D%3Dsoutheast&page=1). There’s even a climbing aster!
Climbing aster (Ampelaster carolinianus) could be nice if you add some support and want a less grabby vine.