10 Fast-Growing Vines to Transform Your Landscape Quickly

If you want to add texture and visual appeal to your outdoor space, climbing vines are a fantastic option. Whether you're aiming to cover a fence or wall, introduce a splash of color to a garden corner, or grow a natural privacy screen, these fast-growing vines can get the job done swiftly. I've personally used vines in all these ways in my own yard. My neighbor's unsightly fence has turned into a living wall of flowering clematis, the side of my garage is adorned with climbing roses, and trumpet vine grows on a pergola to provide privacy. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best fast-growing vines, including their USDA Hardiness Zone, growth expectations, and care tips, with insights from two gardening experts — Trisha Singh from Garden for Wildlife and Samuel Schmitz from Triton College.

Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vine grows rapidly within a single season, producing bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers. It is very resilient, and “attracts hummingbirds and pollinators with its bright orange flowers,” says Singh.

• Zone: 4 to 9
• Size: Trumpet vine can grow 30 to 40 feet tall on a supportive structure, and 4 to 10 feet wide.
• Care: This fast-growing vine thrives in full sun and various soil types. It may need occasional watering during dry weather. While it's low-maintenance, trumpet vine does require pruning. “As a fast-growing vine, it can become a bit aggressive and may not be suitable for small properties,” notes Singh. “Prune regularly to control its rapid spread.”

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Virgin’s Bower

“This fast-growing, fragrant vine produces clusters of delicate white flowers in late summer, attracting pollinators,” says Singh. “It climbs fences, trellises, or shrubs naturally and requires minimal pruning.”

• Zone: 3 to 9
• Size: Virgin’s Bower can grow 10 to 20 feet tall on supportive structures like trellises, fences, or pergolas.
• Care: Virgin’s Bower can grow in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. “They do prefer a bit of shade throughout the day, especially over the roots,” Schmitz says. He suggests planting something around the base to shade the ground. This clematis variety also needs a support structure or space to scramble along the ground. Prune back hard in fall (8 to 12 inches from the ground) after flowering and lightly through the growing season to control its shape.

New Dawn Rose

This fast-growing climbing rose is easy to train up trellises and across fences. Its soft, pale pink flowers will bloom continuously all season with proper care.

• Zone: 5 to 9
• Size: New Dawn roses will grow 10 to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
• Care: Plant New Dawn roses in early spring in well-drained soil where they will receive full sun each day. Deadhead periodically throughout the growing season from June to September and water regularly for optimal performance, up to 1 inch per week. You will need to train this climbing rose onto a trellis, and it will need to be loosely tied to establish growth habits and structure,” says Schmitz. Fertilize in the spring as new growth begins with a balanced formulation, Schmitz suggests.

American Wisteria

Native to the Southeastern United States, American wisteria is a fast-growing vine that produces striking flower clusters that bloom from late spring to early summer. Its flowers range from dark purples to lavender or white, and they're 6 to 12 inches long with a sweet scent that attracts pollinators. “[It’s] one of the most gorgeous vines there is,” says Schmitz.

• Zone: 5 to 9
• Size: American wisteria can grow up to 25 feet tall on supportive structures.
• Care: American wisteria likes slightly alkaline, well-draining loam and at least six hours of sun daily. While less aggressive than other types of wisteria, it still needs pruning to keep it contained. “Judicious pruning and training are needed when the vine is young and still becoming established,” says Schmitz. “Once mature, vines may be pruned quite heavily, leaving only a few buds on the side branches.”

Honeysuckle

“Native honeysuckle has vibrant red-orange blooms that attract pollinators,” says Singh. “[It’s] great for hummingbirds and recommended for beginners because it’s not an aggressive vine.” Honeysuckle has a sweet scent, and its clusters of tubular flowers bloom in late spring to early summer.

• Zone: 4 to 9
• Size: Vining honeysuckle can grow 15 to 30 feet tall on trellises or pergolas, and 3 to 6 feet wide.
• Care: Honeysuckle prefers moist, well-draining soil and at least six hours of sunlight per day. Prune and shape in late winter or early spring to remove dead vines and thin overcrowded areas. Apply a slow-release fertilizer in the spring and water regularly during dry weather. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage a longer blooming time.

Climbing Hydrangea

This unique climbing vine can create a living wall effect when trained on trellises and walls, with its woody vines and abundant greenery. It produces elegant clusters of white, lace-cap flowers in early summer, and it looks striking when in full bloom. Though slow to start, once established, it grows quite quickly.

• Zone: 5 to 8
• Size: 15 to 30 feet when supported
• Care: Like all hydrangeas, climbing hydrangea prefers partial shade, especially in warmer climates. Plant in neutral pH, well-draining soil and water the base deeply during dry weather. Prune in late summer or fall, after blooming, to shape or control growth. Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 in early spring.

Bougainvillea

Native to South America, bougainvillea is best known for its vibrant colors. Instead of true flowers, bougainvillea produces colorful bracts, or modified leaves, in red, purple, white, orange, or yellow. This versatile plant can be trained as a vine or shrub and can grow in containers or in the ground.

• Zone: 9 to 11
• Size: Depending on the variety, bougainvillea can grow up to 40 feet tall on a supportive trellis and 20 feet wide.
• Care: Plant bougainvillea in direct sunlight, as the more sun it receives, the better it performs. Drought-resistant, it needs little watering and well-draining soil, but prefers to be sheltered from strong winds. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring should be all this plant needs for the growing season. Prune in early spring to shape and control plant size, as it can grow quite large.

Star Jasmine

While not a true jasmine, star jasmine is a perennial, evergreen vine known for its fragrant, star-like blooms and glossy, dark foliage. This plant loves heat and humidity, so it's mostly found in warmer climates where it blooms from late spring to early summer. Although it's a fast-grower once established, it has little to no growth during the first two years after planting.

• Zone: 8 to 11
• Size: When trained as a vine, star jasmine can grow to 10 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide.
• Care: Plant star jasmine in full sun to partial shade in neutral pH, well-draining soil. This plant likes heat and humidity, so provide extra water in drier climates. Although forgiving and versatile, star jasmine needs to be fertilized once or twice a year in early spring and mid to late summer after it starts blooming.

Passion Flower

This easy-to-grow vine produces visually interesting, multi-layered flowers that bloom from late spring to fall, with a peak in summer. Suitable only for warm climates, it is a vigorous climber with large, heart-shaped leaves. It also produces a small, edible fruit that attracts birds and can be used in passion fruit drinks or tea, according to Singh.

• Zone: 9 to 11
• Size: Passion flower vines can reach heights of 10 to 30 feet when supported by trellises.
• Care: Plant passion flower in well-draining soil where it will get at least six hours of sunlight daily. While drought-resistant, it will need watering during hot, dry summer months. Flowers may take one to two growing seasons to appear on established plants. Additionally, this plant “requires support for climbing and can spread aggressively because it spreads underground,” Singh says, so consider growing it in a large container to control its spread.

Virginia Creeper

A prolific and aggressive climber, Virginia creeper produces clusters of five serrated-edge leaflets that resemble a star. The leaves are green throughout the season, then turn deep red or burgundy in the fall. It produces small, white flower clusters in the spring, but the real draw is the foliage.

• Zone: 3 to 9
• Size: Virginia Creeper can grow 30 to 50 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide if left unchecked.
• Care: While Virginia Creeper prefers well-draining soil, it is adaptable to various soil types. Drought-tolerant, it will need some watering while becoming established. Pruning is crucial for this fast-growing vine, requiring regular attention throughout the season. Use in-ground barriers to contain runners or manually remove unwanted growth, as this plant can quickly take over if left unattended.

FAQ

What are the best vines for pergolas?

“For a pergola, twining vines and those with tendrils are the best choices, as they naturally wrap around supports, while clinging vines can damage structures,” says Singh. Some of her suggestions include cross vine, honeysuckle, and Dutchman’s pipe.

What are the easiest vine plants to grow?

Some of the easiest vines to grow include honeysuckle and Virginia creeper, each for different reasons. Honeysuckle is very low-maintenance and easy to manage, while Virginia creeper is hardy and durable in a variety of environments, according to Singh.

How do you grow vines on the exterior of your house?

Start by attaching a sturdy trellis to your home’s siding to prevent damage. Plant a non-damaging vine that won’t harm brick, wood, or siding. Singh suggests trying honeysuckle, American wisteria, and Carolina jessamine, as they lack aggressive roots or tendrils. Avoid planting English ivy for this reason. Prune vines regularly to keep them out of windows or gutters. Choose the side of your house that provides the best lighting conditions for your vine—for instance, plant sun-loving vines on the south side of your home.

How do you remove vines?

First, cut back any vegetation and above-ground growth. Then, either manually dig up root and rhizome systems to remove them or use a chemical herbicide treatment to kill the remaining plant. While wearing protective gloves and eyewear, apply herbicide to freshly cut vegetative stems or vines.

Is there a vine that stays green all year?

In warmer climates, plant Carolina jessamine, passion flower, climbing hydrangea, or star jasmine for evergreen foliage. In colder climates, English ivy can withstand mild winter temperatures.

About the Experts

• Trisha Singh is the Vice President of Product at Garden for Wildlife, a program run by the National Wildlife Federation, which encourages wildlife-friendly gardening spaces. Trisha is a wildlife biologist who enjoys native plant gardening and helping others with their native gardening pursuits.
• Samuel Schmitz is a full-time faculty instructor in the Horticulture Department at Triton College in Illinois. He was formerly Ground Operations Supervisor for Ball Horticultural Company for 16 years.