12 Perennial Vines for Shady Areas

by Erin Marissa Russell

Looking for perennial vines that will work in a spot that’s low on sunshine? We’ve rounded up a list of perennial vines we recommend for shady gardens. The first thing you’ll need to know to start narrowing things down is whether the shady part of your property has partial shade or full shade.

Parts of your garden that get between three hours and six hours of daily sunshine offer partial shade, while those that get fewer than three hours of daily sunshine have full shade. Bright indirect light does count as sunshine, by the way. So if you’re just assuming that your spot counts as full shade, it’s worth it to spend a day monitoring it just to make sure.

American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)

Zones: 3 to 8

Sun/Shade Requirements: Part shade

Soil Preferences: Does well in moist soil; may take over if planted in rich soil

Mature Size: 20 to 30 feet

Description: Female vines are known for their blaze-orange berries, but you’ll need to grow both male and female plants to get any fruit.

Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Veitchii’)

Zones: 4 to 8

Sun/Shade Requirements: Does best in full sun but will grow in partial to full shade

Soil Preferences: Performs well in loamy soil with good drainage but can be grown in other soils

Mature Size: 30 to 50 feet

Description: Vivid green vines produce three-lobed leaves with pointed ends. Learn more about Boston Ivy.

California Pipevine/California Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia californica) or Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia durior)

Zones: 8 to 10

Sun/Shade Requirements: Part shade

Soil Preferences: Moist with good drainage

Mature Size: Usually 10 to 15 feet but can reach up to 25 feet

Description: A classic vine with unusual pipe-shaped flowers that have an unpleasant carrion-like aroma.

Chocolate Vine/Five-Leaved Akebia (Akebia quinata)

Zones: 4 to 9

Sun/Shade Requirements: Part shade

Soil Preferences: Rich, loamy soil with plenty of drainage and lots of organic material

Mature Size: 15 to 20 feet

Description: Produces wine-purple flowers with a vanilla scent that resemble large begonia blossoms.

Climbing Fig (Ficus pimula)

Zones: 8 and up

Sun/Shade Requirements: Partial or full shade

Soil Preferences: Soil with good drainage

Mature Size: up to 20 feet tall

Description: Offers a classic ivy vine look with small lime green leaves.

Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala ‘petiolaris’)

Zones: 4 to 8

Sun/Shade Requirements: Light shade

Soil Preferences: Moist soil that still provides good drainage

Mature Size: 30 to 50 feet tall

Description: Darker green leaves pale to yellow before dropping to reveal pretty bark when the weather gets cold, and in summertime the white blossoms will fill your garden with their fragrance.

Honeysuckle

Zones: 5 to 9

Sun/Shade Requirements: Partial shade

Soil Preferences: Soil rich in organic material that drains well

Mature Size: 6 to 15 feet tall, with the same width

Description: For honeysuckles that will flourish in the shade, look for Dropmore honeysuckle, Perfoliate honeysuckle, Goldflame honeysuckle, Hall’s honeysuckle, Early Dutch honeysuckle, and Late Dutch honeysuckle.

Jasmine

Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)

Zones: 7 to 10

Sun/Shade Requirements: Partial shade

Soil Preferences: Sandy loam soil with good drainage that is moderately rich

Mature Size: 7 to 15 feet tall

Description: Vines come to life with clusters of white flowers known for their heady scent. Learn more about Jasmine.

Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)

Zones: 6 to 10

Sun/Shade Requirements: Best in partial shade, but will tolerate heavy shade

Soil Preferences: Not particular about type—whether chalk, clay, loam, or sand

Mature Size: 4 to 15 feet

Description: Sometimes called hardy jasmine, this type with yellow blossoms doesn’t feature any of the traditional jasmine scent, but it makes a gorgeous addition to the garden.

Persian Ivy (Hedera colchica)

Zones: 6 to 9

Sun/Shade Requirements: Partial or full shade

Soil Preferences: Moist soil with plenty of drainage; adapts to most media

Mature Size: Usually three to six feet, but can stretch up to 40 feet

Description: Persian ivy twines nicely up a wall or other structure with heart-shaped leaves.

Thunbergia ‘Blue Glory’

Zones: 9b to 11

Sun/Shade Requirements: Full sun to partial shade

Soil Preferences:

Mature Size: 2 to 6 feet

Description: When this vine flowers, the blue-purple blooms will bring tons of color to the yard, along with beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Variegated Magnolia Vine (Kadsura japonica)

Zones: 7a to 10b

Sun/Shade Requirements: Full sun to full shade

Soil Preferences: Prefers acidic soil with good drainage that is rich

Mature Size: 15 feet tall

Description: Large leaves are dappled with dark green and cream, and this vine also bursts into bloom with cream-colored flowers.

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Zones: 4 through 9

Sun/Shade Requirements: Full sun to full shade

Soil Preferences: Can be grown in sandy, clay, or loamy soils

Mature Size: 30 to 50 feet

Description: Pretty dark green ridged leaves join together in fives to make the leaves of this creeping vine. Learn more about Virginia Creeper.

For readers who don’t have a fence or wall to grow vines on, there are lots of other options. You can install an arbor, arch, gazebo, ladder, pergola, or trellis so your plants are free to climb. Make sure that whatever you select is secure enough to support the weight of the vines, especially if you grow heartier varieties with thicker stems. If you choose the location of your vines carefully, they can provide shade for an area of the yard that really needs it.