I've become partial to vines in recent years. Last year we planted a number of vines along fences, over arbors, and even as container plants. Vines add a third dimension to the garden, providing overhead and vertical interest. It seems to me that vertical structures are underutilized in our southern gardens. Our hot sunny summers should guarantee that an arbor, vertical pillars with vines, or climbing roses would be an integral element of most landscapes, but I see few of them.

On a recent trip to a local botanical garden, I walked beneath an arbor covered in coral vine (Antigonon leptopus) that was buzzing so loud I couldn't help but stop and notice. Stepping back, I saw the vine was covered with bumblebees. They were busy working the blooms in a frenzy of activity and could have cared less about me as I snapped a few photos from only inches away. Coral vine's pendant blooms of pink (a white form is also available) are truly a beautiful addition to many landscapes.

I have begun to collect and plant some of the many species of passionflower (Passiflora), too. Each flower is worth extended study as few blooms can match its intricate beauty. Other vines we've added to the landscape include the airy textured cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit) with its fern-like leaves (be careful; it's a prolific reseeder); some new honeysuckles with more tame growth habits than the escaped yellow form; and a wonderful, well-behaved blue flowering vine called Clitoria. It doesn't have the aspirations to conquer vast territories like many vines and offers a deep blue bloom color that is quite rare in the summer garden. There are, of course, a multitude of other vines that deserve equal or more recognition. I guess I will just have to look for a larger property so I'll have more room to expand. Alas, I guess it is well known by now that garages and gardens are never built large enough.