Everyone enjoys the exotic look and lush foliage of healthy mature vines.  They can be used for shade, scent, or simply as decorative elements in the garden.

Some vines, however, can be invasive and difficult to control.  Gary Koller, of Koller and Associates is an expert landscape designer and has recommended vines that are both manageable and beautiful.  There are various methods by which vines climb such as clinging, twining, weaving and holdfasts-like grapes.  This will determine what type of structure they grow well against, whether it is brick, stone, wood or a trellis.

Here are some of Gary’s preferred vines:

Actinidia Kolomikta (Kiwi Vine) beautiful, edible, grows anywhere
Euonymus Fortunei (Wintercreeper) evergreen, can be a shrub, ground cover or climber
Lonicera Sempervirens (Trumpet Honeysuckle) attracts ruby throated hummingbirds
Parthenocissu tricupidata (Virginia Creeper) good for shade, like Boston Ivy adheres by discs not roots, covers quickly, tolerant

Other favorites are:

Mandevilla (Brazilian Jasmine)
Ficus Pumila (Creeping fig)
Wisteria Frutescens (American Wisteria) 
Aristolocheia (Dutchman’s Pipe)
Clematis Viticella (Italian Clematis)

Special thanks:
Gary Koller