Evergreen Vines
Jan Asked
I am looking for an evergreen climbing vine for a sturdy trellis. The location will get some sun especially in the winter. Would love something with flowers during the year but total green is fine too. I do not want Ivy or anything that spreads enough to be invasive. I bit of yearly trimming is fine.
I am also looking for an evergreen foundation plant that won’t damage the concrete that is evergreen and around 6-7 feet tall and not too wide. It would be a corner plant. Again some trimming is fine. I would like to be able to plant the shrub? About 3 feet from the house. Thanks for any help.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi Jan: There are evergreen vine options for Kentucky gardeners. Depending on the amount of available sunlight, the options for flowering vines are limited. If the space receives morning sun and/or filtered light, then Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) would be a good choice. This evergreen vine has trumpet shaped, orange-yellow blooms. Tangerine Beauty is a good cultivar. Carolina Jessamine is a semi-evergreen option that has trumpet shaped yellow flowers. Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) not to be confused with the invasive species, is also semi-evergreen. This native will flower better when planted in full fun but will provide winter interest regardless.
As far as the corner planting you will need something that has an upright growth habit. Green Mountain Boxwood would be a good choice for full to part sun. It has a cone-shaped habit reaching 5ft. tall and 3ft. wide at maturity. ‘Nana Gracilis’ Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) is a slow-growing evergreen that should be planted in full sun and will eventually reach 6-7ft. tall and 2-4ft. wide. ‘Sky Pencil’ Holly (Ilex crenata) also prefers full sun and will reach 6-8ft.tall and 2-3ft. wide. I hope this is helpful and gives you some options to consider.
Angie Oakley
Kentucky Living-Ask the Gardener
