Variegated Vines With Tendrils

Types of Clinging

• Vines have several different methods of holding on to their climbing supports. One is to twine around the support as they grow. Twining vines are limited to growing around slender trees or trellises unable to grab large trunks or buildings. Another method that climbing plants use is to grow adventitious roots along the stem that press themselves into rough surfaces, such as bark and between bricks. Thin, winding tendrils from the stem poke themselves into small spaces, wind around them and then coil themselves to bring the vine closer to the supporting structure. Tendrils can't support as much weight as adventitious roots or twining. In addition, some plants use thorns, opposing branches or prickles to wedge their stems in place.

Bat Wing Vine

• Variegated bat wing vine (Zehneria pallidinervia) has yellow veins that stand out against its dark green leaves. It has small off-white flowers that become bright red berries. It is an annual in most areas except U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10 or warmer.

Porcelain Vine

• Variegated porcelain vine (Ampelopsis brevidpedunculata) has mixed white and green leaves. The variegated porcelain vine can grow up to 15 feet high. This vine has an attractive frosty light blue berry following its inconspicuous late summer to early fall flower. Porcelain vine is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and can grow in full sun to partial shade.

Virginia Creeper

• Virginia creeper (Parthenocisis quinquifolia) is a perennial vine that climbs up to 45 feet up trees. The Virginia creeper has five, palmately arranged leaves and is available in several multicolored leaf varieties, including the "Variegata" cultivar. All varieties have brilliant red fall foliage. Unlike poison ivy, which climbs by thick adventitious roots, the Virginia creeper uses slender tendrils to climb. Another species of virgina creeper, the silvervein creeper (Parthenocissus henryana) is a Chinese variety that can take full sun to full shade and is hardy in zones 6a to 9b.

Grape Vine

• Decorative grape vines are available both in variegated and unvariegated varieties. One variegated version of grape, Vitis coignetiae, is from Japan and has large, rusty-tinged leaves. The leaves can reach 1 foot wide but don't expect to harvest grapes from it. Another variegated grape variety is Vitis vinifera "Variegata." Variegata's leaves are speckled with lime green while the underside has hints of pink. Variegata turns golden in the fall.

Bower Vine

• Bower vine, a native of Australia, is also available in a variegated variety called Pandorea jasminoides "Charisma." Bower vine reaches 6 feet in height and likes full sun. It is only hardy in zones 9 and 10. It has pink flowers that emerge in early to mid-summer.