A large variety of vines, annuals and woody perennials, are commonly used as ornamental plants in the home landscape. Generally, vines are used to raise the elevation of the landscape up into the range between the top of the largest perennials and the lowest branches of the trees. To do this, the vines need some sort of support structure to climb.

In addition, of course, vines give us their beauty. Flower of many sizes, shapes and colors can be added to our landscape through the use of vines. Some have tiny, delicate flowers while some clematis cultivars have flowers 8 inches in diameter. A few of the vines are very fragrant and vines vary in their blooming season from early spring to far in the autumn.

Here are some of the more common ways in which vines are used to complement our landscapes:

• Design Impact - As with any other element in your landscape, vines have color, texture, form, mass and line...the standard design traits. This, of course, should always factor into the use of vines. They may need to fulfill other needs in the gardens like those listed below. But, in every case, the desired design role of the vine should be an equal part of the decision making process.
   

• Beds and Borders - Although most of us think of vines as climbing plants, some people allow them to sprawl along the ground. Certain clematis work very well in this role. Of course, you need to consider the design traits of the vine and how it works with other plants in the bed or border as you make your selection.
   

• "Soften" Lines - Severe angles and straight lines are usually associated with a more formal landscape design. This is great if that is the desired style of your garden. However, if you want a more informal look, those straight lines and hard edges need to be "softened" somehow. One way of doing this is to grow a vine on these surfaces.
  
  Vines almost by definition are informal plants. They want to wander here and there as they grow and would be extremely difficult to keep to straight, well manicured lines. Plants that naturally wander give an informal impact. So, growing a vine up a straight wall or hard lined building corner will make them more informal looking.
   

• Screening - Vines can be a relatively quick and effective way to create a screen to separate one part of your landscape from another or from a view in the neighbor's yard. Of course, there will have to be some sort of support system such as a trellis or wire fencing. This will not make a solid screen as a wooden fence might but it will give the "feeling" of separation and privacy.
   

• Complement Structures - The beauty of landscape structures such as arbors, pergolas, lattice work and fences may be enhanced by the addition of a well-placed vine. Generally, these can add color from flowers or foliage and informal lines which will contrast and/or complement the structure.
   

• Shade Impact - A simple lattice work over a bench in the landscape can be adorned with vines to provide shade in a sunny location. It can also be used to provide shade casted over nearby beds or borders to facilitate the proper growth of hostas and woodland plants.