Vines for your fence

There are both perennial and annual vines that can hide your fence or add to the fence in your landscape. There are some choices that are stunning but not drought tolerant. If you are looking for something pleasing along the fenceline, Black Eyed Susan is a bright and cheery annual vine. Black Eyed Susan vine, Thunbergia alata does need to be grown in afternoon shade because we live in a hot, dry climate. It needs well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a neutral pH. Among the color choices, “Alba” offers white flowers with purplish brown centers, “Bakeri” boasts pure white blooms, and Suzie hybrids may be orange, yellow or white.

Purple hyacinth bean, Dolichos lablab, an annual, is one you can grow in full sun in our hot, dry climate. Placing this vine in the shade will risk fungal diseases on the leaves. There is no deadheading with this vine. This vine needs regular watering, but the soil needs to be well drained. Once you have grown the vine, you can collect the seed pods and save the seed and replant the next season.

Morning glory, Ipomoea mauritiana is another annual vine that comes in a range of colors of pink, purple, blue and white in several various patterns. Morning glory will seed itself wherever you plant it. So, if you really like it, then it will be around for a long time. This vine needs full sun and well-drained soil but poor soils. An added benefit is that butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to it. It is a great vine for either a chain-link fence or lattice.

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