Annuals are the darlings of the summer garden. Easy, fast-growing, and colorful, they add just the right amount of spice to the garden. But what about those problem areas every garden has? What if the garden lacks any vertical interest? What if there are unattractive views or features that take away from the overall beauty of the garden? Whether the goal is to cover an ugly chainlink fence, disguise an unsightly water meter, or just add some height to the corner of a bed, annual vines are the answer.
Annual vines can be easily started from seed, either indoors or direct-sown into the garden. They do not like having their roots disturbed, so if you are starting them indoors, it is best to go with a peat pot, which you can plant directly into the ground to avoid stressing the plant. Most of the annual vines prefer full sun, but a couple will give a decent show in part shade as well. In general, they prefer moist, well-drained soil. Vines can be grown directly in the ground, of course, but also perform well in pots and even hanging baskets. One caveat: in the warmer regions of the U.S., and certainly in the tropics, some of these vines can be aggressive, or even invasive. Check with your local Extension Service if you are unsure of whether any of these plants are invasive in your area.
Scarlet Runner Bean Vine (Phaseolus coccineus)
Scarlet Runner Bean has small, bright red flowers that are a beacon to butterflies and hummingbirds. It is a twining vine, which means it will need support, such as an arbor, trellis, or fence to climb up. Scarlet runner bean vines typically grow from eight to twelve feet tall, but can reach up to twenty feet tall under optimum conditions. The vines produce edible beans that taste similar to green beans. Grow them in full sun in moist, well-drained soil.
Purple Hyacinth Bean Vine (Dolichos lablab)
Purple Hyacinth Beans Vines are absolute stunners with their large clusters of light purple flowers. They grow ten to fifteen feet tall, and will require a trellis, pole, or fence to climb up. Give purple hyacinth bean vines full sun, and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. For optimum bloom, fertilize weekly . After bloom, purple beans will form. The beans are technically edible, but require several boilings and water changes to remove a cyanide-releasing chemical contained in the bean.
Morning Glories/Moonflowers (Ipomoea tricolor/Ipomoea alba)
Morning glories are guaranteed to add some pop to the garden. These colorful vines grown from six to fifteen feet tall and are available in a variety of colors. The stunning purple of 'Grandpa Ott' and the vibrant blue of 'Heavenly Blue' are just two of the options available. While morning glories shine during the day, their cousins, the moonflowers, light up the night. Their bright white blooms seem too glow in the night garden. In both cases, give the plants full sun and light, well-drained soil of poor to average fertility. Never fertilize morning glories or moonflowers; fertilizing results in long, wimpy stems and poor bloom rates.
Black Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
The best word to describe Black Eyed Susan Vine is "cheerful." Bright yellow, daisy-like blossoms cover this easy-care, tough plant. Black Eyed Susan plant grows around five feet tall and blooms heartily from mid-summer until frost. This is one of the annual vines that even those gardeners with shady sites can grow, as it will grow in everything from full sun to part shade. They like fertile, moist, well-drained soil, and happily climb up fences, trellises, and shrubs. They are wonderful in containers and hanging baskets, as well.
Annual Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
For a vine that thrives in cooler temperatures, sweet pea can't be beat. There are several varieties that are heat-resistant, but they often lack the fragrance of the old-fashioned varieties. Sweet peas grow anywhere from one to six feet tall, making them perfect for containers as well as grown directly in the garden. They prefer full sun, but will tolerate light shade. The soil should be rich, high in organic matter, moist, and well-drained. Weekly fertilizing with a low-nitrogen fertilizer will keep sweet peas blooming happily.
Any or all of these vines would work perfectly to disguise a view or add vertical interest. The possibilities are endless.
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