Annual Vines For Shade: Learn About Shade Tolerant Annual Vines

Annual vines in the landscape allow for fast foliage and quick color as they soften fences and liven up boring blank walls. A row of climbing annuals for shady gardens can block an unpleasant view, whether it be in your own yard or your neighbors.

Shade tolerant annual vines grow in several types with a variety of bountiful blooms. Coordinate them with other flowers in your landscape to quickly improve your curb appeal. As annual plants complete their lifespan within the same year, we don’t have to wait until next year for blooms as we must with many perennials.

Some of the vines are warm season perennials but grow as annuals because of locations where they won’t survive the winter.

Annual Vines for Shade in the Afternoon

While many annual vines are shade tolerant, the best situation for many of them is to grow in a few hours of morning sun with afternoon shade. This is especially true when growing these vines in the southern part of the country. Hot afternoon sun will sometimes burn the foliage and cause some plants to perform poorly.

Dappled shade, with some sun reaching the plants, is ideal for some specimens. Whatever the sun and shade situation in your landscape, there is likely an annual vine that will thrive and help beautify the area. Some of these include:

• Canary Creeper: Long lasting yellow blooms begin in spring and last through the summer. The flowers look like canary wings; however, the common name results from its discovery on the Canary Islands. These expand through the season and possibly climb to a height of 10 feet (3 m.). Adequate water helps promote growth, adding colorful height and texture to your garden. The delicate vine of canary creeper is related to the nasturtium.
• Black-Eyed Susan Vine: Like the flower of the same name, this vine has golden yellow petals and brown centers. This rapidly growing shade tolerant annual vine needs a cooler location in the garden to protect it from summer heat. Growing to 8 feet (2 m.), well-draining soil and regular water help blooms continue through summer. Black-eyed Susan vine is great in a hanging basket too.
• Sweet Pea: Sweet pea is a delicate flower that blooms in cooler weather. Some varieties are fragrant. Plant in dappled sun or light shade to make the blooms last longer, as they often decline in summer’s heat.
• Cypress Vine: A favorite shade tolerant annual vine, cypress vine is related to the morning glory. Frilly foliage is especially attractive, as are the red blooms that attract hummingbirds. Watch them flock to the bountiful blooms before they die back from frost.
• Hyacinth Bean Vine: This plant is an unusual vine. In addition to colorful green or purple foliage and brilliant pink and white blooms, hyacinth bean produces purple bean pods appear after flowers fade. Careful, though, as beans are poisonous. Keep them away from curious children and pets.