In our almost 40 years of gardening here at JLBG, I have yet to find any other vine that’s better to cover a fence than our native (West Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas) Bignonia capreolata. In full flower now, this amazing evergreen vine covers a fence quickly, but without trying to take over the entire world or pull down the fence. The flowers, which can range from yellow to orange, start for us in mid-April, putting on an outstanding show. We have used this on both board-on-board as well as deer fencing. Below is a current photo of Bignonia capreolata ‘Jekyll’, a super floriferous orange flowered clone, found on Jekyll Island, Georgia. In colder zones, it may be deciduous. Hardiness is Zone 5b-9a.
It is a monster here in North Florida as it doesn’t stay where it’s planted. This vine travels underground and pops up everywhere and everywhere it wishes. It was a native to my woodland garden at my last house and I spent years trying to keep it under control. Pretty, yes. Doesn’t take over entire trees and fences, maybe. A thug that comes up everywhere you’re trying to keep things neat, absolutely.
Interesting that it behaves so much better here.
Some Bignonia capreolata have nasty anger issues, acting out by bullying any plant within reach, thus earning the common name “Cross Vine”. Seriously, I have recently planted a Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Dream’ against a Hickory that succumbed to last summer’s drought after being crowded out by several maples, Red Maples with their dense root mat are the true bullies of the forest. The Cross Vine can work out it’s anger issues by climbing the old hickory to it’s heart’s content, this will allow the decaying hickory to continue to add value to pollinators by providing a platform for Bignonia’s many colorful blooms, and serving insects and wildlife, hopefully attracting Pileated woodpeckers as it decays. To keep the Cross Vine calm and well-behaved in regard to other nearby friendly peace-loving plants I’m surrounding it with a bed of Hypericum calycinum ‘Brigadoon’ whose foliage is bright and cheery, and that I am told has significant anti-anxiety properties.
Correction, Tangerine Beauty the plant, not Tangerine Dream the German techno band from the 60’s.