How to Plant a Wildflower Vine

Wildflower vines such as Virginia creeper provide quick foliage and color to a garden.

One inexpensive way to extend your garden while providing more greenery and blooms is by naturalizing wildflower vines. As a group, wildflower vines tend to be fast-growing, tolerant of varied soil conditions, don't mind being transplanted and are attractive to wildlife, especially birds. One wildflower vine, Virginia creeper or woodbine, can grow up to 60 feet high and 50 feet across in good conditions. Others, such as the trumpet vine, draw hummingbirds to their vivid red flowers. Most wildflower vines will become invasive without regular cutting and pruning.

Things You'll Need

• Garden spade
• Clippers
• Hose or watering can
• Fence or trellis support

Instructions

1. Research your wildflower vine before attempting to plant it in a domestic setting. Ask your local extension agent for advice, or read about some specific wildflower vines on the Internet. Some rare or exotic wildflowers are not legally naturalized.

2. Choose wildflower vines that are native to your region. They have already adapted to the climate, soil conditions and pests in your area.

3. Know the best way to propagate the wildflower vine you've chosen to plant before you remove it from the wild. Some, such as Virginia creeper, are most easily replicated by using hardwood cuttings. Others, such as the trumpet vine, like the gardener to dig up a sucker and transplant the vine with root system intact.

4. Collect a sample of the soil in which your wildflower vine was growing in the wild. The sample should be sufficient to amend the soil into which you plan to transplant the vine.

5. Observe and study the wildflower vine in its natural habitat. Replicate the wildflower vine's natural conditions, including amount of sun and shade it tolerates, as much as possible.

6. Dig a planting hole in an area of your garden or property no deeper than the vine's roots enjoyed in the natural habitat. Insert the rooted cutting or root ball. Tamp down and water well.

7. Provide support for your wildflower vine. Vines that grow up tree trunks in the wild will enjoy climbing up a tree in your yard. Fences, trellises and pergolas also may provide good support for a wildflower vine.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful when handling any wildflower vines. Some, such as the Virginia creeper and trumpet vine, secrete chemicals that may irritate the skin.

References

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Virginia Creeper
• Andy's North Ontario Wildflowers: Flowering Plants
• The Gardener's Network: How to Grow and Care for Trumpet Flowers