Climbing Vines

(Dolichos lablab) With its orchid-like blooms, deep burgundy ornamental pods, and gorgeous deep green foliage, it is no wonder that a hyacinth bean vine is grown on the arbor in the kitchen garden of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Hard to find and always memorable once grown, the Hyacinth Bean Vine has been used as an ornamental since the 1800s. Most/full sun. Annual. Climbs to 10 feet. 8 seeds

(Ipomoea alba) Moonflower Vine seeds have been available to US gardeners since 1806. By day, this unforgettable vine displays beautiful dark green heart shaped leaves. As night falls, giant pure white blooms (6 inches across) open to release a sweet fragrance. Traditionally grown near the front porch so that the fragrant blooms can be enjoyed through the night. Most/full sun - Climbs to 12 feet - Grow as an annual (tender perennial) - 10 seeds.

(Momordica chantia Stump your gardener friends! They will have NO idea what this odd climber is. Grown as a curiosity by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, Balsam Pear Vine produces small yellow flowers followed by green fruits that at first resemble 10 inch long pickles. This resemblance ends when the pickles turn a vivid orange and then split open to reveal large seeds covered in a bright red gel. Also called Thai Bitter Melon. Most/full sun -climbs to 6 feet. - Annual -10 seeds/pack.

(Lathyrus odoratus) Sweet Peas are native to Southern Italy. They were first used as garden plants in the 1600s and quickly became renowned throughout Europe for their intense fragrance and beautiful rich colors. Royal Family is a variety known for blooming longer into the heat of summer with large (up to 2 inches) flowers in a rich mix of colors – great for cutting! Plant seeds as soon as soil can be worked in early spring. Most/full sun. Annual. Climbs to 7 feet. 20 seeds

(Phaseolus coccineus) Grown in US gardens since the early 1700s, the Scarlet Runner Bean is a pretty climber that will quickly cover a trellis or arbor. The edible flowers are a cheery red and cover the vine. The bean pods are edible and the beans, once dry, can be stored for months and used in winter stews. Pick pods before they reach 7 inches to maximize flower production. Most/full sun - Annual - Climbs to 8 feet - 10 large seeds (beans) /pack.

(Ipomoea X multifida) This fast growing climber is beautiful, with unique deeply cut foliage and lots of bright red 1 inch flowers that serve as natural hummingbird feeders. A favorite old-fashioned climber that will quickly climb a fancy garden trellis, an old fence, or just strings hanging from the eaves over the front porch. Will bloom and climb from mid summer through frost. Most/full sun - Climbs to 15 feet - Annual - 10 seeds/pack

Cardiospermum halicacabum A native of Asia, Love in a Puff quickly became a Victorian favorite for its pretty little white flowers that are followed by unique balloons or “puffs” that, when ripe, turn brown and can be opened to reveal three pretty black seeds inside, each with a perfect little white heart seemingly painted on one side. Different, fast growing, and very pretty. Annual. 10 seeds

Ipomoea mina lobataA beautiful relative of the morning glory, Firecracker Vine is also known as Exotic Love Vine and Spanish Flag Vine. This showy plant not only feeds lots of hummingbirds in late summer but also will quickly cover a trellis, obelisk, or old fence with its beautiful trident leaves in early summer. Blooms only occur in late summer - September through frost - but absolutely cover the plant and are well worth the wait. New buds are vivid red and then fade through orange, yellow, and creamy white with all colors held on the same blossom. Pretty! Annual. 15 seeds

Ipomoea nilMorning Glories have been grown in US gardens since the early 1900s. Scarlet O’Hara produce 4-6 inch deep pink / crimson flowers that attract hummingbirds in the early morning. Gorgeous, fancy, and an All America Selection winner in 1939. Annual. 20 seeds

Ipomoea tricolor Selected from the same tricolor species as the Heavenly Blue morning glory, Flying Saucers is a blend of the blue and white types. Flowers will vary in amount of striping and some may be pure blue or pure white, but all are beautiful. The blooms are large and decorative on tall climbing plants with attractive heart shaped morning glory leaves. Will climb up to 10 feet. Full sun, annual. 20+ seeds/pack

(,i>Ipomoea tricolor Heavenly Blue has been grown in US gardens since the early 1900s. The blooms reach 5 inches across and are a delicate sky blue with a contrasting white throat. Traditionally used to adorn mailboxes, Heavenly Blue blooms are open in the morning until they close with the heat of the summer day. The heart-shaped leaves are attractive as well. Most/full sun - Grow as Annual (tender perennial) - 20+ seeds.

(Ipomoea purpurea )A pretty heirloom from Iowa, Grandpa Ott's is of the species purpurea, the very earliest morning glories to be grown in US gardens in the 1700s. These are the more vigorous morning glories, which will be covered with lots of open flowers every morning. Most/full sun - Reseeding Annual - Climbs to 10 feet - 20+ seeds.

(Ipomoea tricolor) Selected from the same tricolor species as the Heavenly Blue morning glory, Pearly Gates was available to US gardeners in 1940. The blooms are 3-4 inches across and pure white, set off nicely by deep green heart shaped leaves. Beautiful and delicate, the flowers close when the heat of the day sets in. Beautiful growing on an arbor or trellis. Most/full sun - Climbs to 10 feet - Grow as Annual (tender perennial) - 20+ seeds.

(Ipomoea tricolor) Selected from the same tricolor species as the Heavenly Blue morning glory, Blue Star morning glories are white with a pretty blue star. The blooms are large (4-6 inches) and heavily produced on tall climbing plants with attractive heart shaped morning glory leaves. Very pretty when open in the mornings – blooms will last longer on cool cloudy days. Clims to 8 feet. Most/full sun. 20+ seeds

Thunbergia alata This mix includes 2-3 inch flowers in orange, sunny yellow, buff, and white, all set off by deep black contrasting centers. A sedate climber that isn’t too aggressive, Black Eyed Susan Vine provides a pretty cover for an obelisk or low trellis. Perfect for containers as well - the booms will cascade out of hanging baskets and brighten any porch. Very unusual. Climbs to 8 feet. Annual. 15 seeds

Ipomoea quamoclit The cypress vine has been grown in US gardens since the early 1800s. This is the standard pure red cypress vine - sure to impress lots of hummingbirds with its vivid red blooms that stand out against the delicate looking airy fern-like foliage. Cypress Vine consistently attracts lots of hummingbirds and conveniently grows high enough to be out of the cat’s reach! Annual. 15 seeds

(Ipomoea quamoclit) The cypress vine has been grown in US gardens since the early 1800s. The most common form is a brilliant red, but this is the harder to find pure white variety. The white blooms are very pretty amongst the very delicate looking airy fern-like foliage. Cypress vine attracts hummingbirds and conveniently grows high enough to be out of the cat’s reach! Most/full sun - climbs to 15 feet - Annual (re-seeds in areas without freezing winters) - 15 seeds/pack.

(Ipomoea purpurea ) Sunrise Serenade is the most unusual heirloom morning glory we have seen. The blooms are frilled and semi-double and produced from early summer through frost. The dark green heart shaped leaves provide a nice contrast to the cherry-red white throated flowers, which attract and feed hummingbirds. Most/full sun - Annual - may ressed. Climbs to 10 feet - 10 seeds.