- Vines grow as evergreen or deciduous plants. Evergreen vines retain their foliage throughout the year. Deciduous vines drop leaves in fall. Vines such as grape, kiwi, pea and pole bean produce fruit. Vines such as pink jasmine or wisteria develop fragrant flowers.
- Woody vines develop strong, fibrous vascular tissue that allows them to grow upright. Woody bougainvillea vines develop thick stems and can be trained to grow as trees or hedges. Semi-woody vines do not have strong vascular tissue and require support for upright growth. English ivy vines attach themselves to masonry walls for support.
- Vines are categorized as clinging, tendril or twining based on their growth habit. Clinging vines such as Boston ivy use disk-like appendages to adhere to walls. Other clinging vines use thorns or aerial roots to adhere to supports. Tendril vines such as grape climb with modified leaves. Twining vines such as clematis climb with their stems. Vines are also categorized as annual or perennial based on their life cycle.
- Vines escape cultivation if they are not pruned. For example, Japanese honeysuckle vines produce attractive white flowers, but they climb up to 30 feet tall and spread indefinitely. Use less-weedy substitutes when possible. Everblooming honeysuckle plants produce similar flowering vines that only grow 15 feet tall.
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