Cochise County Master Gardeners

The reasons for using vines in the landscape are many and varied. First of all, southern Arizona's bright sunshine and warm temperatures make them a practical means of climate control. Climbing over an arbor, vines give quick shade for patios and other outdoor living spaces. Planted beside a house wall or window, vines offer a curtain of greenery, keeping temperatures cooler inside. In exposed situations vines provide wind protection and reduce dust, sun glare, and reflected heat. Vines add a vertical dimension to the desert landscape that is difficult to achieve with any other kind of plant. Vines can serve as a narrow space divider, a barrier, or a privacy screen. Some vines also make good ground covers for steep banks, driveway cuts, and planting beds too narrow for shrubs. As design elements, vines offer an exciting array of plant forms, textures, floral effects, and even fruit (grapes). They add a special touch of charm and grace when festooning walls, trellises, and garden light posts or trailing over a doorway or corner of the home. Vines serve all of these landscape purposes and yet require little ground space. Before selecting a particular vine, determine your landscape needs. The type of structure to be covered and the climbing support offered will partially determine what type of vine to choose.