Top 6+ fast-growing flowering vines that quickly cover fences and trellises

Coral Honeysuckle
Hardy Kiwi
Edible Passionfruit
Grapevine
Star Jasmine
Runner Beans

Plus, some of them bear fruit!

Spring is here! Time to get out in the garden, refresh those beds, and get your plants ready for another gorgeous season of warm weather. If you're in the market for an easy, flowering vine that will quickly cover a trellis or fence, we've got you covered. We spoke to some plant experts about the best options that don't require a ton of work. Happy planting!

Coral Honeysuckle

Marina Prokaten, plant expert at Plantum (an app that helps identify plants and improve plant care), says that this vigorous flowering vine is native to the eastern United States and is known for its reddish, trumpet-shaped flowers. "It climbs to heights of 20 feet or more, twining through shrubs and young trees," she says. "Initially green and fuzzy, the stems mature to a light brown or red-orange. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. In Maine, it’s endangered; elsewhere, it's used ornamentally. Various cultivars exist, some with later or more abundant blooms, and varying flower colors."

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Soil: Prokaten says this unfussy plant isn't a diva when it comes to soil. "It's happy to grow in almost anything you throw at it—a testament to its adaptability and low-maintenance nature. Just make sure it has good drainage to avoid root rot."
Light: "While basking in the sun's glorious rays is its preferred pastime, this adaptable vine won't sulk if it finds itself in a partially shaded spot," she says. "Think of it as a flexible friend, happy to adjust to the nuances of your garden's lighting. A sunny location, however, will result in the most vibrant flowers."
Size: 20 ft. or more

Hardy Kiwi

Elizabeth Waddington, garden designer and writer at First Tunnels, says that hardy kiwi is an excellent perennial climber, and surprisingly easy to grow. "It offers high yields of small, nutrient-rich fruits. It’s vigorous and long-lived, creating dense green cover that can double as shade or privacy screening. While it needs a sturdy support and both male and female plants for fruiting, it rewards patience with abundant harvests over time."
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Soil: Well-drained, rich soil
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Size: 15–25 ft

Edible Passionfruit

Matt Tutt, gardener at Aguacateros.com, says his favorite flowering vine for covering a fence or trellis is edible passionfruit, also known as Passiflora edulis. "This grows like a vine and is always super fast growing, with attractive foliage which works as a nice shade option as well as the big bonus of having delicious edible fruit! It is always very productive, with one vine capable of producing many fruits repeatedly throughout the summer and well into autumn."

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b (others may work; if you get a hard frost, you will want to cover the plant somehow, or bring it indoors if in a pot)
Soil: All types
Light: It will grow in semi-shade or full sun
Size: Tutt says it gets big! "It will happily trail over a large tree, slowly covering it."

Grapevine

"Grapevines are a classic climber because they’re both productive and beautiful," says Waddington. "They provide edible yields, shade, and habitat, making them ideal for multifunctional garden design. Once established, they’re relatively drought-tolerant and long-lived, though they do benefit from annual pruning to maintain structure and productivity." These will produce small white flowers before fruit!

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–10 (varies by species and cultivar)
Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile
Light: Full sun
Size: 15–30 ft

Star Jasmine

Prokaten says this plant is native to eastern and southeastern Asia, including Japan, Korea, southern China, and Vietnam, and has gained enormous popularity worldwide for its visual appeal. "Trachelospermum jasminoides is an evergreen liana with glossy dark-green leaves and star-shaped five-petaled white flowers," she says. "It is widely grown as an ornamental plant and used to cover ground, fence posts, trellises, and doorways," she says. "This beauty is extremely fragrant—your patio may become a destination of choice for hordes of bees."

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11
Soil: Although star jasmine can adapt to and survive in a variety of soils, Prokaten says that for the plant to truly thrive, it's best to plant it in a nutritious, well-draining, moderately moist medium with a pH of around 6.0-7.0.
Light: While they don't care much about light conditions, full sun will boost their growth and help them reach maximum flowering potential
Size: 25 to 40 feet tall

Runner Beans

If you're looking for an easy climbing plant for a single season, rather than one that will remain in place over many years, Waddington suggests runner beans. "Both edible and ornamental plants, they are a staple in eco-friendly gardens thanks to their ability to fix nitrogen, improving soil health naturally," she says. "They grow quickly, produce edible pods and edible beans that can be used as a pulse, and attract pollinators with their bright flowers."