Need vine for heavy shade

[Janet Macunovich 32]

Another question that came in by email, for which we need help!

 

What climbing vine would you recommend in the shade-a lot of shade! I have a trellis that I want to "soften," and I need your help. M.J.

 

Hi M.J.,

We're putting your question up on our Forum because we need help. We ourselves have very few suggestions for you. Evergreen euonymus (E. fortunei), English ivy (Hedera helix) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). None of those are grown for bloom -- we wouldn't expect much if any bloom from anything in really dense shade. They're grown just to be able to fill the spot and give you foliage.

 

Go to (this URL) to

Hi M.J.,

We're putting your question up on our Forum because we need help. We ourselves have very few suggestions for you. Evergreen euonymus (E. fortunei), English ivy (Hedera helix) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). None of those are grown for bloom -- we wouldn't expect much if any bloom from anything in really dense shade. They're grown just to be able to fill the spot and give you foliage.

 

Go to (this URL) to see what people may recommend.

 

If you are or would become a Member of the Forum you can do more than simply read what people reply -- you can post more details there for other members and our Moderators to consider. Such as:

How many hours per day might there be sun in this spot?

Is there more light in winter than summer?

What's the overall situation, soil and companion plants?

 

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[Guest dcsmith796]

Well, there's always Rhus toxicodendron. Shiney leaves, lots of pretty berries that birds love, easy to grow in shade, and it's a native plant!

 

It can spread a little though. And you do have to overlook one other, fairly irritating characteristic.

[Steven Nikkila 32]

Yeah just one IRRITATING charactestic that prevents me from even getting close to it, but it does do well in many areas.

[Lynnmac 0]

Hey, I'm not a master gardener! What are you talking about?

[Steven Nikkila 32]

Sorry those of us who have been touched by poison ivy often tease each other about it. By using the scientific name we forget that many people don't know what the heck we're talking about. I'll try to always use the common name first then the scientific name like this, poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron), when I'm discussing plants. Thanks for posting and reminding some of us that others may not know what plant we're talking about.

[gonative 1]

Some other suggestions: Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) & Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana). Again, you may not get much in the way of bloom only foliage depending on the shade. Both need at least a couple hours of filtered to sun to achieve this.

[Michele A 2]

Some of us are soooo allergic that we can't even joke about it.

[Margaret Thele 16]

Sorry those of us who have been touched by poison ivy often tease each other about it. By using the scientific name we forget that many people don't know what the heck we're talking about. I'll try to always use the common name first then the scientific name like this, poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron), when I'm discussing plants. Thanks for posting and reminding some of us that others may not know what plant we're talking about.

 

At one time, I read Poison Ivy was sold as an ornamental...probably by someone who was immune...Not to be messed with!