Vines provide a number of great landscaping functions says Dennis, owner of Trees-Plants Nursery, a leading grower and shipper of Vine plants. They are not only an excellent way to fill vertical spaces, but flowering vines can also provide exciting and exotic color to a lawn. There are a number of notable, hardy vines that can meet your needs even in colder and drier climates.

Vinca Minor

Sometimes referred to as the lesser periwinkle, dwarf periwinkle or creeping myrtle, vinca minor is a fast-growing as well as a low-maintenance vine. It is shade as well as cold-tolerant with minimal water needs. The flowers measure about an inch in diameter and range from purplish-white to a bright shade of medium blue. Vinca will bloom repeatedly from mid-spring to mid-fall and are very showy. When not in bloom, the foliage is dense and evergreen with nice broad leaves, making it a popular choice especially in cooler northern zones. Vinca minor is also notable for its versatility and may also perform as a ground cover as well as a hanging plant. As a vine it is shorter than others, but it has a nice trailing habit that a lot of landscapers find appealing on arbors. Another bonus of vincas is that they are deer and rabbit-resistant.

Phlox

Creeping phlox or vine phlox is another fast-growing vine with showy flowers. It is great for drier climates and is even hardy in areas with poor soil. The small, bright white and tube-shaped flowers bloom from the spring and into the fall, repeatedly blooming during the summer. The blooms contrast brilliantly with the dark green foliage. In order for it to have a good vining habit it requires more shade and with increased sun it will begin to mound rather than climb. The flowers are fragrant and attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.

Honeysuckle

A honeysuckle vine is an excellent choice for even the most northern of gardeners. There are several species that hail from the Americas, Europe, and Asia depending on the look you want. The showier species tend to be less fragrant. Honeysuckles are most often used for trellises, fences, and arbors where they will have adequate support and not risk choking out other plants. They tolerate shade, but produce more flowers when exposed to more sun. The showiest species, the trumpet honeysuckle, is evergreen in warmer climates but becomes deciduous in cooler ones though it is still hard. It is known to attract hummingbirds and has large, tubular, red flowers with yellow interiors.