Plant Profile: Vines in the Urban Landscape By Candy Weller Reprinted from The Understory, Oct.-Nov. 1996 (Illustration © Cathy Vogelsong) To soften a fence, provide shade for an arbor, or to accent a vertical object, we look to vines. Our native vines are usually less aggressive than the exotics and absolutely more useful for wildlife. Remember that vines grow toward the sun, so if you plant a flowering vine on the north or east side of a wall or privacy fence on your property, your neighbors will love you, but you may be slightly disappointed. The following two vines are easily grown in most yards. Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) This vine is probably the most widely used of the native vines. It is an evergreen vine with coral, trumpet-shaped flowers followed by red berries. It works well on a chain-link fence, meanders gracefully about wooden fences and climbs an arbor with style. You may need to help it out a little, as it gently twines. Moderate pruning is helpful to keep it from getting leggy, and aiming the tendrils in the direction you want them to go will spread the vine horizontally. This vine also works well as a ground cover, and looks absolutely spectacular under a large pine. Of course, in part shade, the flowers and the vine will be more sparse. Check out the median to the north of the University of South Florida in Tampa for an outstanding display of this plant used in full sun as a ground cover. For decorating a chain-link fence, I haven't seen a better demonstration than the one at the Mildred Helms Elementary School in Largo, in a garden created by our own Chuck Parsons. As the fence borders a section of the Pinellas Trail, it is easily seen. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) This vine is the opposite of coral honeysuckle. It is deciduous, high climbing, aggressive and glues itself to anything it touches. If you ever plan to paint your house again, don't let this vine come near it. It climbs with tendrils which come attached to little pads that must have been the inspiration for super glue. So why bother? If we are lucky enough to have some cool weather, the fall color is spectacular! For shading an arbor or gazebo it is unparalleled, and the fruit is plentiful and beautiful. Use this member of the grape family to cover a chain-link fence--quickly. Run out a couple times a week and aim the tendrils away from the gate or the meter man may become a little excited. If you have a very large tree, let it go up the trunk. It will climb up and drape itself from the branches for an inspiring fall show. Do not let it anywhere near a small tree or any shrub; they can't compete. If you begin to get concerned about the size of the vine, wait until it loses its leaves and whack it back to a more manageable size while it is dormant. You will need to learn to recognize the seedlings, as they are easily pulled when small. This vine is not readily available from nurseries, but our members can supply it. [Editor's note: Or you may find that birds have planted it in your yard!]