Here are some of the top flowering climbers
Q. Please suggest some flowering vines to grow on my vintage trellis.
A. Here are some of the most popular annual vines. All are easy to grow and beautiful.
Morning glories are an old fashioned favorite. Sky blue flowers bloom from June to September, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. The plant reaches 8 to 10 feet tall in full sun. Morning glories are easily grown from seeds or a starter plant from the garden center. They come in red or pink.
Moon flower is related to the morning glory with large fragrant white flowers that open at sunset, attracting hummingbird moths. The two make beautiful companion plants on the same trellis.
Black-eyed Susan vine is a cottage garden favorite and an eager climber, going up 5 or 6 feet. It has green ivy-like foliage and small yellow flowers with dark centers. It needs full or part sun. Black-eyed Susan vine is available in orange, yellow or white.
Candy corn plant is a huge favorite for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Its tubular orange flowers tipped in bright yellow resemble candy corn. Needing part sun to part shade, it grows to 8 feet.
Cardinal vine has bright red trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom all summer until frost and is fast growing. Hummingbirds love the flowers. This plant grows best in full sun.
Hyacinth bean flowers are shades of pink with maroon stems. Grown easily from seeds, it can be found in garden centers as a small plant. After blooming, seedpods will appear. Keep them to grow next year's plants. Hyacinth bean attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, can be 10 to 15 feet tall and needs full sun.
Two other climbers that I have planted from seeds are pole beans and birdhouse gourds. Plant beans, and you can eat your own snack right off the trellis. Plant gourds, dry them all winter and make birdhouses in spring.
I have enjoyed giving you some ideas of climbers for summer interest. Your trellis will be enhanced with any of them. Happy planting!
- Holly Schmidt
• Provided by Master Gardeners through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines. Call (847) 298-3502 or email northcookmg@gmail.com.