Shade vines are one of the easiest ways to boost the outdoor aesthetic appeal of your garden. These climbing plants can crawl up the side of your home and create a stunning display of greenery.
Plus, they can offer you privacy and camouflage. On top of that, some species of shade vines can grow incredible flowers.
Although, it can take a long while before the flora grows large enough to cover a massive area. But, that doesn’t have to be the case. There are countless fast-growing shade vine varieties that can climb your walls in no time.
So, if you’re looking for a way to spruce up your outdoor area, I can help. In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the most popular types of fast-growing shade vines and what they can do for your backyard.
1. Boston Ivy
Right off the bat, I’m starting with one of the most popular shade vines in the world right now. Boston Ivy is a perennial climbing vine that grows all year round.
It’s so well-known that Ivy League universities even get their name from this plant that’s often found climbing all around their aged walls.
Not only is the Boston Ivy gorgeous, but it can also grow three to nine feet each year!
This plant is famous for its dark green leaves and beautiful vines. On top of that, the leaves turn a dark shade of red as fall approaches.
If you’re growing these vines outside, make sure that you place them in an area that gets lots of sunlight. The plant requires at least six hours of full sun per day.
This will produce those gorgeous red shades that people want to see. Besides that, you should plant Boston Ivy in loamy soil in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8 for better growth.
2. Climbing Hydrangea
The climbing Hydrangea is by far one of the most well-liked fast-growing shade vines on the planet. It’s a flowering plant that blooms under shady conditions.
A hardy vine found in the northern states of the country, these climbing vines are easy to grow and produce impressive blooms to boot.
On top of that, the flowers are available in many varieties, including unique colors such as purple, pink, white, and blue.
Aside from that, climbing Hydrangeas need moist, acidic soil to grow well. Lastly, these plants are usually affordable, so you won’t have to break the bank to cover a large area.
3. Vinca Minor
The next shade vine variety on the list is Periwinkle, also known as Vinca Minor. This plant comes with slender, evergreen stems, dark emerald foliage, and glossy, oval leaves.
One of the best aspects of this flora is that it has an exceptionally speedy growth rate. It can cover massive groves of land in a few months.
That’s why many people like to use this plant as a ground cover.
Aside from that, Periwinkles produce beautiful blue, white, purple, and lavender flowers that bloom for a few months. This will create a magical display in your garden.
Plus, Vinca Minor is exceptionally easy to grow. You can plant it in sandy, clay, or regular soil in USDA growing zones 4 through 8.
Although, because of the rapid growth rate, some gardeners consider this an invasive species.
But I’m here to tell you it’s not all that difficult to control. When grown around the landscape, managing the growth of the Periwinkle isn’t that complicated.
With the right pruning tools and potting mix, you should have no issues telling the plant where to go.
However, you have to know that unlike most other plants mentioned in this article, Periwinkles aren’t avid climbers. That means you’ll need to shape Vinca Minor as it grows to ensure it covers the desired area.
4. Trumpet Vine
The trumpet vine is a beautiful plant that produces splendid flowers even when kept in limited shade. While it can survive with minimal sunlight, it only truly shines with full sun.
It grows best in USDA growing zones 4 through 9, and there are several color varieties, such as yellow, red, and orange.
The plant also requires well-drained soil, which means you’ll have to check the moisture content in the growing medium routinely.
However, this plant is quite aggressive, and it won’t be long before offshoots start growing around the yard. These growths are a bit difficult to control because uprooting them requires a considerable amount of force.
Lastly, trumpet vines also attract hummingbirds, as the flying critters particularly adore the nectar.
5. Chinese Wisteria
As you can guess by the name, this plant is native to China. Although, it can also grow in several areas in the Eastern United States.
Chinese Wisteria produces some of the most breathtaking flowers when grown in the shade. The blooms look like a waterfall of lavender coming off of vibrant green foliage.
There is also another variant; the American Wisteria, though this one does not flower when grown in partial shade.
However, many people consider the plant slightly invasive, so you’ll have to care for it regularly. Most gardeners will recommend that you call a landscaping professional to your place to prune the vines from time to time.
6. Emerald Gaiety Euonymus
The Emerald Gaiety is a foliage plant that can grow in the form of a shrub or a vine. That means you can plant it as a ground cover or a hedge.
It has variegated leaves that grow in a white or green pattern and slender stems that branch out in every direction.
On top of that, Emerald Gaiety is incredibly easy to grow. This plant doesn’t need much sunlight or water to thrive and multiply rapidly.
Yet, for the best growth rate, it’s a good idea to plant these florae in well-drained soil and USDA growing zones 5 to 8.
Although, you’ll have to keep the invasiveness of the plant in mind. The emerald gaiety may trespass on your other plants’ territory.
Because of that, you have to pay attention to the growth rate and prune regularly.
7. Clematis
Gardeners refer to Clematis as the “Queen of Climbers.” So, it’s no surprise that these plants are a popular option for fast-growing shade vines.
These perennials can grow up to 20 feet every year!
Besides that, they produce large blooms (from four to 9 inches in diameter) that give off an intoxicating scent. The flowers also come in many shades, including white, blue, violet, purple, pink, and red.
You can even get bicolored flowers that make for a unique, exotic display.
That’s not all. Thanks to Clematis’ stalky stems, these plants can grow on top of almost any surface. This includes walls, pergolas, trellis, and in some cases, water pipes.
8. Chocolate Vine
If you’re looking for a unique plant to give your backyard an exotic flare, then Chocolate Vine is the best way to go.
These ornamental plants produce dense foliage, small, delicate purple blooms, and even fruit. Yet, the standout feature is the stalks.
When the plant is young, the stems are a pale green color. Then, as the vines mature, they turn a deep, rich brown shade.
That’s why we call them Chocolate Vines.
On top of that, this plant is edible! Not only can you eat the fruit, but the leaves make a delicious, calming tea.
9. Honeysuckle
While most people grow shade vines as protection from the sun, there’s no rule that stops you from growing plants that serve many purposes.
So, if you’re looking for a versatile vine, Honeysuckle may be the ideal choice for you.
This plant produces flowers and fruits, and it can cover a massive section of your outdoor area in no time. Plus, they give off a pleasant aroma that’ll fill any space.
For starters, this will make every trip to your backyard a joy. Besides that, it’ll attract all sorts of pollinators that can help your flowers thrive.
Final Thoughts
Some of the most popular fast-growing shade vines include Boston Ivy, Vinca Minor, Chinese Wisteria, and Emerald Gaiety Euonymus.
Although, these are just some of the varieties you can choose from. Plus, you should remember that a few of these plants can be difficult to manage because they need constant attention.
For that reason, you have to make sure that you call a gardener from time to time to prune the vines and prevent them from overgrowing. Don’t just ignore these vines because they’ll take up a lot of space incredibly quickly!
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.