Mexican Flame Vine: Butterfly Lure
Mexican flame vine is a beautiful, perennial vine with vivid orange flowers that butterflies can’t resist. Unlike many desert vines, it stays a manageable size. Here’s how to plant and … Read more
Desert Vines
Vines are an often overlooked way of adding color, beauty, and shade to desert gardens while taking up little space. There are a surprising number of vines that grow prolifically and flower profusely in the desert, both annual and perennial.
Here at Southwest Gardener you’ll find in-depth information to help you choose and care for vines — both annual and perennial — that will thrive in your desert garden.
Bougainvillea: Vibrant, Non-Stop Color
Bougainvillea blooms so prolifically that it’s been called a “flower machine”. There are hundreds of cultivars and hybrids available in every imaginable color and size, from small to enormous. Here’s … Read more
Coral Honeysuckle: Garden Friendly Vine
Coral honeysuckle is a good choice for attracting and supporting bees, butterflies, and numerous bird species. And, unlike some vines, it’s well-behaved in desert gardens. Here’s how to plant and … Read more
Snapdragon Vine: Small Vine for Part Shade
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance vine that grows in part shade and stays a manageable size, consider snapdragon vine. This charming vine grows in the canyons and on the … Read more
Pink Jasmine: Unparalleled Spring Beauty
When in bloom, pink jasmine smells heavenly and is one of the most delicately beautiful vines you’ll see growing in the desert. It’s not hard to grow, provided you plant … Read more
Arizona Grape Ivy: Adaptable Native Vine
Arizona grape ivy is an attractive vine that thrives in a wide variety of conditions in the wild, which means it’s not fussy in desert gardens. Here’s everything you need … Read more
Black-Eyed Susan Vine: Cheerful Climber
Black-eyed Susan vine is a charming twining vine available in a rainbow assortment of colors. It can be grown as an annual or perennial, depending on your microclimate. It’s native … Read more
Bower Vine: Resilient Tropical Vine
Bower vine is an evergreen vine with large pink flowers. It’s native to tropical regions of Australia and yet, with the right care, it can make itself at home in … Read more
Arizona Passionflower: Exotic-Looking Native
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance desert vine that stays a manageable size, supports butterflies, and has exotic “other worldly” flowers, look no further than Arizona passionflower. Here’s how to … Read more
Creeping Fig: Clinging Vine for Shade
Creeping fig is different than most vines grown in the desert. It seldom flowers, prefers shade, and clings to almost any structure without support. It’s not an “all-purpose” desert vine … Read more
Pink Trumpet Vine: Fabulous & Flexible
Pink trumpet vine is a sprawling, tropical-looking plant with bubblegum pink flowers. It can be grown as a shrub, vine, or ground cover depending on how it’s pruned and supported. … Read more
Star Jasmine: Fragrant, Versatile Vine
Star jasmine is an evergreen vine that bursts into bloom in spring with intoxicatingly fragrant white flowers. It’s a manageable vine that can also be grown as a ground cover … Read more