When you’re looking for easy ways to create shade, speed is of the essence. An easy solution is to cover an arched trellis with fast-growing vines. While annual vines are useful for covering fences or structures in a short span of time, perennial vines tend to be slower in growth. But once they become established, they can reach sprawling lengths, festooning trellises and pergolas for a stunning effect. Vines are very versatile and can be used for shading an area, creating privacy, or obscuring a less-than-elegant view. 

Vines cling to structures through two ways: climbing and twining. Twining plants like clematis attach to wire supports via grasping tendrils. Other vines like ivy have aerial roots that allow them to anchor themselves to the walls and tree trunks. Still, other vines like climbing roses will need to be trained, tied at various junctures to their support. 

 

1. Dutchman’s Pipe       

Once established, the Dutchman's pipe, Aristolochia macrophylla, spreads like wildfire to quickly engulf front porches. The defining feature of this unusual vine is its dark, heart-shaped leaves, which are host to the iridescent-winged Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. It also shoots out funny-looking, saxophone-shaped flowers that can grow profusely under the right conditions. Depending on the location, it can be quite aggressive, although in other places, not so much. 

2. Clematis   

Dubbed as the “holy grail” of ornamental plants, clematis is one fairytale that can become reality. Despite its reputation as being hard to grow, given the patience and the right growing conditions, it’ll soon reward you with years of enjoyment. The purple varieties, with their exuberant tresses, are adored; beware of sweet Autumn Clematis, an invasive variety that invades woodlands and strangles vegetation. Tolerant of partial shade, clematis can be trained to happily twine with other vines like honeysuckle. 

3. Honeysuckle

Not all honeysuckles are created equal, a fact that’s evident when some are strangling invasives, whereas others prefer to stay where they are. 'Scentsation' honeysuckle is a non-invasive variety that’s designed to stay within its boundaries while delivering that coveted burst of scent, followed by bright-red berries. It adds a layer of incredible texture, especially when trained upon a trellis. At maturity, it can grow to 8 – 10 feet tall and 2 – 4 feet wide. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil for best results.

4. Carolina Jessamine (Yellow Jasmine) 

Wisteria may be a beautiful plant, but it can be a nightmare to maintain. For a flowering vine that’s less maintenance pruning wise, consider Carolina Jessamine. Both beautiful and fragrant, Carolina jessamine is pliable enough to adorn pergolas, trellises, and arbors, resulting in a vignette that looks like those quaint Pinterest photos. To train it near a pergola, situate it at the base, then secure with ties as it grows. This can be done by pinning it down with garden twine or wrapping the tendrils onto a fishing line that has been affixed to the pergola using screws.       

5. Morning Glory 

If you’re looking for something that involves the least amount of effort, morning glories are a good option. To say that they’re not particularly fussy is an understatement – morning glories are vigorous growers that can quickly unfold to over 10 feet in a single season. Their blooms produce wild-looking patterns, from the delirious 'Carnevale Di Venezia' to the bewitching Chocolate morning glory, available in a dusky rose. 

6. Variegated Kiwi Vine

More often than not, the variegated kiwi vine (Actinidia kolomikta) is grown for its striking leaves, splashed with white and pink splotches like a painting, rather than its fruit. It requires both male and female plants (plant one male for every three to four females) to produce edible fruit, which are grape-sized and have no fuzz. Male plants tend to have better variegation, so aim for these if growing for ornamental foliage only. 

7. Butterfly Vine (Mascagnia Macroptera)

Butterfly vine spreads quickly to cover entire fences and trellises with its blossoms. For this interesting vine, the party never seems to end – in mild winters, it will retain its glossy foliage. It enjoys baking in the summer heat, but will also flourish in areas that receive dappled or diffused light. Its chartreuse seedpods, shaped like butterflies, morphs into sunbaked pods the color of parchment. 

8. Chocolate Vine    

Fast-growing, pretty, and smells like chocolate – chocolate vine seems like a match made in heaven. The caveat is that it is heavily prolific, enough to be deemed a weed in the southern United States. However, chocolate vine is a pretty vine to grow if you keep it contained. It produces purple-hued, alien-like fruit that spits wide open. The fruits are edible but not very palatable. 

9. Purple Passionflower     

Passionflower is one of these plants whose flowers surpass its fruits. Those who are averse to the taste of passionfruit – funky to some – can still admire their incredible flowers. Passiflora incarnata is a cold-hardy variety that can survive the winter, especially since the onset of warm temperatures due to climate change. For extra protection, you can choose to grow these vines in a rolling planter with a trellis. 

10. Star Jasmine      

Also known as Confederate jasmine, this fragrant flowering vine is perfect for quiet moments in the South, or wherever you live. Its indelible scent, drifting in the night breeze, is a welcome delight – although not so much for allergy sufferers. If you suspect you’re allergic to jasmine, it’s best not to plant it. In small gardens, it has a tendency to run rampant, but if you have a large space, its unlikely to be invasive. 

11. Virginia Creeper 

The standout feature of this vine is its foliage come autumn, when it puts on a fiery display ranging from crimson to bronze. It also yields dusky berries that are food for birds. Unlike English ivy, Virginia creeper is not invasive, although you shouldn’t allow it to grow on your house.