Top 5 Flowering Vines for Florida Commercial Landscapes

Whether they’re carpeting the ground or climbing a trellis, the addition of vines to a commercial landscape can add a unique texture, break up Florida’s sometimes monotonous flatland, and create visual interest that catches the eye.

Flowering vines are particularly beautiful, giving your Tampa Bay property a gorgeous pop of color to complement the other benefits of flowering vines in Florida.

What are the best Florida flowering vines, you might ask? While there are many to choose from, our top 5 are:

• Cross Vine
• Trumpet Vine
• Honeysuckle
• Star Jasmine
• Mandevilla

Florida Flowering Vines for Your Commercial Landscape

The Benefits of Flowering Vines in Florida

The plants you use to populate your Florida landscape help set the tone for visitors, residents, and passersby. While the landscape design you start with matters, even the best plan can fall flat with the wrong plants.

Flowering vines in Florida can add a lot to your commercial landscape. Without a doubt, they are a worthy addition to practically any commercial property when used correctly.

The benefits of landscaping with vines include:

• Aesthetics. The best Florida flowering vines add visual intrigue and texture, vibrant pops of color, and the opportunity for a vertical landscaping feature in a flat state. Vines can cover a bland fence, add interest to an entryway, or give a flowerbed an extra bit of pizazz.
• Privacy. Vines can be used to complement fencing, helping you add privacy to your property in a natural way.
• Wildlife. Many flowering vines that grow in Florida attract wildlife, particularly butterflies, increasing the beauty of your commercial property and lending a helping hand to the environment.

How to Choose the Best Florida Flowering Vines

Before you rush out and load up on flowering vines, it’s important to know what to look for. Not all vines will thrive in Tampa Bay’s climate, and the varieties you choose should work with your property, not against it.

How do you choose the right Flowering vines for Florida landscapes? There are a few key considerations that can help you find the perfect fit for your property.

• Choose vines that thrive in Tampa Bay’s climate. They should be able to withstand drought, be at least somewhat salt-tolerant, and have a fighting chance when temperatures (rarely) dip below freezing.
• Vines need room to grow. Before opting for Florida flowering vines, be certain that you have enough room for them to spread out. While some vines can be tamed, most need space if you don’t want them overtaking trees, shrubs, or architectural features.
• Consider your goals. Do you want to use vines as ground cover, privacy measures, or vertical texture? The way in which you plan to implement vines into your commercial landscape will determine which varieties are right for you.

Top 5 Flowering Vines That Grow in Florida

There are many flowering vines that grow in Florida, and we encourage you to do your research and work with a local Tampa Bay landscape company to find your favorites. That said, we’ve put together a list of our top 5 Florida flowering vines to kickstart your search and share the ones we tend to recommend.

Bougainvillea

Known for being a staple of tropical landscapes, bougainvillea flowers sporadically throughout the year, bringing magnificent vibrancy to your property. It can be tamed into a shrub shape, made into a tree, or left to grow free as a vine.

Bougainvillea grows quickly and loves the full sun. It is also cold, drought, and salt tolerant, especially once it is established. However, it is important to note that it has thorns, which can be a hazard to both people and pets. If you want to add this spectacular flowering vine to your Florida landscape, be sure to put it in places where it will not be an insurance liability.

Trumpet Vine

If you’re looking for flair, the Trumpet Vine has plenty of it. Named for its trumpet-shaped blossoms that pop in bold shades of red, orange, and yellow, this Florida flowering vine knows how to steal the show. The Trumpet Vine also has rich emerald foliage, creating a sharp contrast with its bright blooms.

While beautiful, the Trumpet Vines is far from delicate. It is well-known for its ability to thrive in challenging conditions. It even has a reputation for preferring poor conditions and little to no maintenance, making it the ideal vine for those who want a “plant and forget” solution to their commercial landscaping.

Honeysuckle

With its alluring aroma and gorgeous flowers, Honeysuckle makes for a stunning addition to practically any commercial landscape in Tampa Bay. Better still, there are several varieties of Honeysuckle that thrive in Florida, giving you the opportunity to choose the best one for your unique property.

For example, Coral Honeysuckle thrives in partial shade and boasts trumpet-shaped flowers that can be reddish-orange or coral pink. Japanese Honeysuckle, on the other hand, has white or pink flowers and loves full sunlight.

Some varieties of Honeysuckle prefer to grow on vertical surfaces, while others can be shaped into the shape of a bush, further adding to your ability to choose the ideal variant for your commercial landscape. No matter which Honeysuckle you opt for, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, hardy vine that adds something special to your property!

Star Jasmine

If you are looking for a flowering vine in Florida that can be shaped and contained, Star Jasmine should have your attention. It features the best of both worlds by being manageable in size and shape yet uncontainable in beauty and fragrance.

Star Jasmine features oval-shaped leaves that are dark green and shiny, while the flowers are a contrasting creamy white that grow in a pinwheel pattern. Complementing this vine’s inherent beauty is its aroma, which attracts pollinators–particularly bees–making it a lovely and beneficial addition to any commercial landscape in Tampa Bay.

Mandevilla

Lush leaves, large flowers, and a dynamic texture that adds depth and intrigue–what more could you ask for from a flowering vine in Florida?

Mandevilla is one of the best Florida flowering vines thanks to its appearance, durability, versatility, and low demand for maintenance. It can be tamed, allowing it to be used in a variety of ways around your commercial property, and its explosive blooms are truly a sight to behold.

Integrating Flowering Vines into Your Commercial Landscape

If you believe that your landscape could benefit from Florida flowering vines, we’re right there with you. Vines can add something special to your Tampa Bay commercial property when implemented properly, which is where we come in.

At Landcrafters, we’ve been perfecting Tampa Bay landscapes for 25 years. If you would like to learn more about our services–including flawlessly incorporating flowering vines into your landscape design–we’d love to help. Simply reach out to speak to one of our experienced landscape professionals.

Image Sources: Bougainvillea, Trumpet Vine, Honeysuckle, Star Jasmine, Mandevilla