Earth Day Special: Best Climbers for Wildlife
We love vines for all the garden problems they help to solve (covering things up, blocking things out) but climbing vines (whether those that cling by aerial rootlets, or those that need the support of a trellis or other structure) are also a welcome sight for wildlife passing through. Many vines are little food factories (pollen, nectar, fruits) while others provide cover for nesting birds (especially the space between a wall and a trellis), and resting places for pollinators. Some take space; others can be grown in containers. Might as well have a wonderful plant that does double duty, making both you and wildlife happy!
About: Dainty, abundant blooms blanket the garden first in mid- to late summer, then return for an encore in fall. Zone: 5 – 9
Attracts: Hoverflies, moths, butterflies, beetles and solitary bees; Nesting for birds
Amethyst Falls American Wisteria
About: Native, much less rampant than Asian Wisterias and much more likely to bloom at an early age. Zone: 5 – 9
Attracts: Bumblebees; Butterfly larval host for Horace’s Dusky Wing and Silver-spotted Skipper
White Bower Vine
About: Consummate night-garden vine, with its big, white trumpet flowers. Grow over windows or around doorways. Zone: 9 – 11
Attracts: Provides cover and nesting for small birds; pollen for butterflies, night moths
Green Showers Boston Ivy
About: Self-clinging, vigorous, deciduous vine with extra large green leaves that turn rich burgundy in fall. Zone: 4 – 9
Attracts: Bees (love the tiny flowers), birds (thrushes, waxwings, starlings, blackbirds), butterflies, hoverflies
Pink Parfait® Mandevilla
About: Twining evergreen vine displays unusual, double, trumpet-like, vibrant pink flowers; perfect for patio gardens in humid climates. Zone: 10 – 11
Attracts: Hummingbirds. Hummingbirds. Hummingbirds.
Crimson Passion Flower
What: Great for shade arbors, where it can snake up posts of wood, concrete or classical stone columns and hang gracefully. Zone: 10 – 11
Attracts: Butterflies (Gulf Frittilaries and Zebra Longwing); Fruits provide food for songbirds.
Trumpet Honeysuckle
What: Native to eastern/southeastern U.S. Alternative to Japanese honeysuckle in places where that species can be invasive. Zone: 4 – 9
Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies, moths
William Baffin Climbing Rose
About: All sorts of wildlife is attracted to easy access of pollen in open flowered roses such as this. Pretty, fragrant, cold tolerant. Zone: 3 – 10
Attracts: Native bees, solitary bees, butterflies
Sweet Autumn Clematis
About: Fluffy clouds of fragrant, creamy white flowers, even in partial shade. Keep in check by pruning in spring before growth begins.Zone: 4 – 9
Attracts: Native bees, butterflies, dragonflies