Vines host plants

8 years ago

My husband and I are thinking of installing a pergola in our garden here in middle TN. We currently do a lot of native perennials and shrubs but there are several butterfly host plants vines that I would like to grow but have visions of plants popping up in my garden beds several feet from the original vine. Are pipevines and passionflowers so aggressive that I will despise the day I planted them? I live in an urban area where space is limited and grow many species for nectar plants and some host plants, but I would love to provide more host plants for out visiting butterflies with vines if possible. Anyone have experience with these species?

Featured Answer

Tom

8 years ago

They will grow in pots, but then you have to water them more and they will still spread through seeds. I'm not sure if they would make it through your winters in pots, but that's something you will probably know.

As you know, there are degrees of invasive and grow zones are relevant here also.

The worst for me is the Mexican Flame vine. I can't get rid of it. I've had it for perhaps ten years now and it just keeps coming up in different places and it grows like mad. The other vine that's really invasive for me is the Cape Honeysuckle--but this is a vine that I really like. The hummingbirds, butterflies, orioles and other birds love it.

I don't think either of these vines are viable in your grow zone, rosegirl. The passion flower vines and the A. Tomentosa will pop up in different places in the garden, but they are easily removed and the vines grow well, but they don't cover everything in sight.

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Comments (7)

Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
8 years ago
I have passionvine on my dog fence. Started out slowly, but in the 4th year it was pretty aggressive popping up several feet to the sides. It's not a problem in my case, there is grass, so it can just be mowed over (unless it is occupied by caterpillars ). I have wooly pipevine on the other side of the fence. It just has been there the second year, so far it's very slow growing for me.
Tom
8 years ago
I would say that Iris is correct in the sense that these vines will spread either by seed or by roots to nearby areas. They don't grow to an outrageous size, however, like other vines do.

Personally, i wouldn't be without passion vines for fritillaries and zebra long wings. The A. Tomentosa is a must if you want to attract Pipevines.
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guinis_z6
8 years ago
Hops vine, humulus spp., is also a good host plant for eastern commas and question marks. It is fast growing upwards and I do not believe it spreads outward too invasively. Also an added benefit is if you want to brew your own beer, you can harvest the hops for your own home brew!
oldrosegirl
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for your comments. I will be very careful with placement then, if I choose to grow these. I wish these vines were not so aggressive as I have limited space. Can they be grown in a large container?
(Jay/Jax FL/Zone 9a)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Pipevines are very classic for pergolas and houses, I've seen plenty of houses where it was growing over an awning and stuff. I would recommend them for that reason + butterfly habitat. I hear pipevine can be vigorous and get big but it doesn't seem nearly as much of a spreader as passion vines. I doubt it'd be uncontrollable.....

there's also NATIVE American wisteria and climbing hydrangeas but I have no experience with them.

A tame native semi-evergreen vine is Trumpet Honeysuckle. They don't spread like the Japanese one and they are somewhat small for a Southeastern vine (generally top out around 20ish feet, and obviously you can maintain a shape). They are very loosely twining though so you will have to train them. I think some sort of moth uses it as a host plant but the main thing is that they attract hummingbirds (get Major Wheeler or a similar nearly everblooming variety, there's John Clayton yellow and Magnifica orange if you don't like red).
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
8 years ago

Passiflora caerulea is one of the few varieties of passion vine that for me, in San Antonio, TX, does not send out runners everywhere. The Gulf frits love it as a host plant for their caterpillars.

Passiflora affinis volunteered in my yard and is very well behaved. I have to plant seeds I've collected in order to spread it around. The Gulf fritillary caterpillars love it as well. Perhaps there is a similar native variety in TN that would grow well for you w/o spreading.