Gardeners across the Mobile area looking to add height and color to their yards this summer have an easy, budget-friendly option: annual flowering vines. Mobile County Master Gardener volunteers say a simple trellis, fence or arbor, combined with the right vine, can transform a plain corner of the yard into a standout feature within a matter of weeks.
Unlike perennial vines, which return year after year and often require regular pruning and shaping, annual vines are started fresh from seed each season. That makes them especially forgiving for gardeners who want to experiment. If a vine does not perform well in one spot, or a homeowner simply wants to try something new, next year offers a clean slate with no established root system to work around or remove.
Master Gardener volunteers note that most annual vines are vigorous growers, but only when given enough sun and consistent water. The general rule of thumb is at least a half-day of full sun for vines to bloom to their potential over a single growing season. Vines are also opportunistic climbers, readily attaching themselves to nearly any support available. Gardeners without an existing trellis, fence or arbor can improvise with garden netting, string or wire, including aluminum or copper, to give young vines something to grab onto as they get established.
Timing fertilizer correctly also matters. Master Gardeners recommend waiting until vines are established before feeding them, then applying a landscape fertilizer such as a 12-4-6 blend in spring and again in midsummer, following label directions for application rates.
Local horticulture experts point to seven annual vines that tend to perform especially well in South Alabama gardens.
Morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) are prized for their ability to cover a fence quickly with a wall of color. Because the seeds have a tough outer coat, gardeners should nick the coat and soak the seeds overnight in room-temperature water before planting to speed up germination. Once established, morning glories are notably drought tolerant.
Moonflower (Ipomoea alba), a night-blooming relative of the morning glory, is typically grown as an annual outside the warmest parts of the country. Its fragrant white blooms, which can stretch five to six inches across, open at dusk and last through the night, making it a favorite for evening gardens and patios. Like morning glory, moonflower seeds benefit from nicking and an overnight soak before planting.
Mandevilla (Mandevilla splendens), a tropical woody vine with more than 100 species and funnel-shaped flowers, performs best in partial shade and can overwinter in truly tropical climates. In South Alabama, where temperatures can dip below 45 degrees, gardeners typically need to bring potted mandevillas indoors for the winter or treat them as a one-season planting. Because starting the seeds requires greenhouse conditions most homeowners do not have, Master Gardeners suggest beginning with an established plant from a local garden center.
Annual sweet pea (Lathyrus odorata) rewards patient gardeners who plant in early fall rather than spring. A bamboo tripod makes an easy support, and getting the root system established before winter allows the vine to put on vibrant growth once days lengthen and warm in spring. Seeds should be nicked and soaked before planting. Sweet peas prefer cool weather and produce about a month of fragrant, colorful blooms.
Black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata), with its white, buff, orange or yellow blooms centered by a dark eye and its arrow-shaped foliage, thrives in full sun and is well suited to arbors and containers alike. It is also one of the faster growers on the list, capable of covering small structures in short order.
Purple hyacinth bean vine (Dolichos lablab) offers gardeners a bonus: seeds for next year. Once the pods mature, the beans can be collected, dried in an envelope and replanted the following spring, or shared with family and friends. This large, full-sun vine tolerates poor soil and is considered one of the easier annual vines to grow.
Ornamental sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) is grown not for flowers but for its foliage, which provides a striking contrast in garden beds and containers. The variety ‘Blackie’ produces deep burgundy leaves, while ‘Marguerite’ offers chartreuse foliage. Like the others on this list, it performs best in full sun.
Gardeners looking for more detailed guidance can consult Alabama Extension publication ANR-1198, ‘Vines for Alabama Landscapes,’ available at aces.edu.
Mobile County Master Gardeners also offer two free programs later this summer for residents interested in learning more. The Mobile Master Gardeners monthly meeting is set for Thursday, June 7, from 10 to 11:45 a.m. at the Jon Archer Agricultural Center, 1070 Schillinger Road N. in Mobile, with a program on Historic Gardens presented by Evan Ware. A Lunch & Learn session on Gardening for the Disabled, led by David Schmohl, follows on Monday, June 18, from noon to 1 p.m. at the same location. Organizers note there is no monthly meeting or Lunch & Learn program in July.
Residents with gardening questions can reach the Master Gardener Helpline at 1-877-252-4769 or email coastalalabamagardening@gmail.com.