We all have those shady areas in our yards that lack color and life simply because a lot of plants don’t like growing there.
But there are a lot of beautiful flowering vines that thrive in a shady spots.
Here is our list of some of the most stunning flowering vines that like shaded areas.
Table of Contents
1 – Star Jasmine
Star jasmine produces tiny yet beautiful little blooms that are brilliant white in color and shaped like stars.
Not only does this plant look amazing but it’s also highly fragrant and the scent will fill the garden.
The star jasmine is a versatile climber that will grow well up walls, around doorways, and on a pole so you’ve certainly got options.
The flowers will come out in June and bloom all the way through until September.
2 – Sweet Autumn Clematis
An excellent option across many growing zones, particularly those between 4 and 11, the sweet autumn clematis is another climbing plant that produces highly fragrant blooms.
White flowers will come through and stay all the way into October.
The plant doesn’t require very much pruning so is quite low maintenance. It will do well in shade but prefers a partially shaded spot.
3 – Sweet Pea
Growing well in zones 3 to 8, the sweet pea is a popular choice for gardeners.
It’s an annual vine and is considered to be one of the more low-maintenance options out there.
The flowers come in a variety of colors including:
- pink
- white
- purple
- and even red
What’s more, they have a spicy yet sweet aroma that will fill the garden.
The sweet pea blooms from late spring to early summer.
4 – Clematis Viticella
One of the most popular varieties of clematis viticella is the black prince and one of the main reasons that so many people choose it is because of how tough it is.
What’s more, this is a fast-growing vine so it will quickly cover a fence or wall making it ideal where you need to disguise something.
With all of that in mind, the plant will only thrive in optimal conditions and these vines prefer moist soil, a cool spot, and being placed in the shade.
5 – Butterfly Vine
When spring rolls around, the butterfly vine begins producing stunning yellow flowers that are great for attracting pollinators to your backyard.
The blooms will remain all the way through summer and will eventually turn a deep brown color.
You will have the most success growing butterfly vine in zones 8 to 10. They’re very low maintenance and don’t need to be watered often.
Also, make sure that they are in well-drained soil and a partially shady spot.
6 – Climbing Roses
When many people think of roses, they imagine a bush but did you know that these are actually climbing plants?
What’s great is that there are so many varieties with some preferring full sun and others coping very well with shade.
However, for the most part, it is a good idea to let them have a couple of hours of sun each day and the rest, they’ll tolerate full shade.
The best varieties to choose for shady spots are things like:
- Lady of Shalott
- William and Catherine
- and Kew Gardens
But whichever you choose, they all need to be placed in well-draining soil.
7 – Nepalese Paper Plant
The Nepalese paper plant is better suited to subtropical climates and will do best in USDA zones 7 to 10.
This plant originally comes from the Himalayan region and is an excellent choice for a flowering vine in your garden.
What we really love about the Nepalese paper plant is how fragrant it is.
It isn’t a huge plant and usually won’t grow bigger than about two meters and produces delicate pinkish-white flowers.
8 – American Potato Bean
If you are looking for a vine that is easy to take care of then the American potato bean should be at the top of your list.
These plants thrive in zones 3 to 8 and have an appearance that isn’t all that dissimilar to the red wisteria.
One thing that you should keep in mind, however, is that this can become quite an invasive plant and will quickly take over.
For This Reason – It’s best to avoid putting it in the same area as any perennials.
9 – Blue Trumpet Vine
The blue trumpet vine produces gorgeous flowers shaped like little cups and they come in light blue and creamy yellow shades.
The flowers do bear quite a resemblance to morning glory so if you like that plant, you’ll love this one.
Keep in mind that the blue trumpet vine is better suited to warmer climates and is recommended for zones 9 to 11.
10 – Ernest Markham Clematis
If you want to make a real statement with your flowering vines then the clematis Ernest Markham is a surefire way to do this.
The flowers are vibrant and come in a deep magenta color with white at the center.
These deciduous climbing plants are incredibly hardy and will put up with quite a lot.
They’ll start flowering in the early summer and when well taken care of will continue to bloom through into early fall.
11 – Honeysuckle
There are several varieties of honeysuckle but the lonicera periclymenum is a great choice if you’re looking to add a pop of color to a shady spot.
They’ll quickly climb over fences and walls and cover them to hide any unsightly areas.
What’s also amazing about honeysuckle is how fragrant it is.
If you’re looking for a plant that’s going to fill the garden with a floral scent, this is a great pick.
Even better, they’re amazing for attracting local wildlife.
12 – Chocolate Vine
If you live in zones 4 to 9 then you might consider growing the chocolate vine.
Don’t let the name confuse you, it isn’t going to deliver a chocolatey treat but it does produce fruits in the late summer that are similar to eggplants and they are edible for humans.
The flowers are quite unlike anything else and hang from the vine making for quite the focal point.
The blooms are purple in color and have a glossy texture.
13 – Sausage Vine
Another yummy sounding climber is the sausage vine, aptly named because of the sausage shaped fruits it sometimes produces.
It’ll also produce purple male flowers and green female flowers making it extremely vibrant looking and attractive.
What’s great about the sausage vine is that it’s ideal for larger areas as at its max, it can grow up to 16 feet.
They will do best in the sun but tolerate shade very well. If you have a partially shaded spot, that’s going to be ideal.
What’s More – It’s also very resistant to frost.
14 – Bleeding Heart
Growing a bleeding heart requires you to be in zones 9 and above for the best results.
These are non-aggressive plants that do extremely well in partial shade.
That said, if you did want to place it in full sun, it would tolerate this.
One of the most interesting things about this specific type of flowering vine are indeed the flowers.
They’re brilliant white with little red tips and will certainly become a talking point of your garden. It can grow up to four meters so is great in bigger areas.
15 – Climbing Hydrangea
The climbing hydrangea is ideal if you live in zones 4 to 8.
This is by far one of the best climbing plants for a shady spot as it tolerates these conditions exceptionally well.
It’ll produce stunning white flowers that are bursting with fragrance and start in the late spring all the way through summer.
Do keep in mind that you’ll have to be patient with this plant as it can take several years to establish and start flowering.
Once it does, it can grow up to eight meters!
16 – Clematis x Durandii
The clematis x durandii has a shrub-like appearance and instead of climbing is more likely to scramble across walls and fences.
Because of this, it’s a good idea to tie the stems to some kind of support to ensure the plant grows where you would like it to.
What we love about this vine is how well it tolerates various conditions.
If you have a shady area of the garden to fill then it’ll like it here.
That said, if you can give it a couple of hours of sunlight each day, that is preferable.
17 – Wisteria
Choosing a Chinese wisteria means that your garden will become a floral haven.
These plants produce gorgeous purplish-white blooms that hang from the foliage and make a real statement.
However, it is good to keep in mind that those flowers will be most vibrant in a sunny spot.
You can grow wisteria in shade and it’ll be bursting with green foliage but the flowers may not be as prominent. It’ll do best in USDA zones 5 to 9.
18 – Passionflower
For people who have busy lifestyles and want a flowering vine that isn’t going to demand a lot of maintenance, the passionflower is ideal.
They’re super easy to grow and when at their max, can reach up to 9 meters.
There are several different cultivars of the passionflower but if you are choosing one for a shady spot then we would recommend something like Constance Elliot.
They like warmer climates and well-draining soil but do well in both shade and part sun.
19 – Confederate Jasmine
If you live in a drier climate then the confederate jasmine is a plant well worth considering as it is extremely tolerant to drought once it is established.
That said, it does prefer to have its roots in moist, well-drained soil.
Madison jasmine is an excellent option if you’re going to be growing it in a shaded area.
Do remember that the more you prune these plants, the better their structure will be so it’s worth dedicating some time to them.
You’ll be rewarded with beautiful white flowers that have a sweet aroma.
20 – Clematis Alpina
To look at it, you might think that clematis alpina is a delicate little plant but it’s actually incredibly tough.
If you’re looking for something that’s going to tolerate shade pretty well then this is an excellent choice.
What’s more, the clematis alpina doesn’t mind cooler weather so if you live in a colder climate, you’ll still be able to grow it.
These gorgeous plants look amazing draped over a fence or wall and begin flowering during spring.
Conclusion
Climbing plants and vines can add some real character to your backyard and there are hundreds to choose from.
However, if you’re looking for something that will do well in a shaded area then the plants we have discussed in this guide are going to be perfect.
