Best Flowering Vines for Shady Trellises in Containers

Creating a lush, colorful trellis in a shady spot is challenging, especially with annual vines in pots. An east-facing porch shaded by a large maple may only receive an hour of morning and evening sun—insufficient for most flowering climbers.

For shade-tolerant floral impact, consider these options:

• Dicentra scandens (Yellow Bleeding Heart Vine) – A tender perennial grown as an annual; blooms yellow all summer into fall. Reaches 10 feet. Hard to find as seed; purchase plants from specialty nurseries.
• Shade-tolerant honeysuckles – White or pale pink varieties (avoid 'Goldflame') thrive in shade and are tough perennials that may overwinter in large pots.
• Sweet potato vine (purple-leaf) – Doesn't climb on its own but can be twined through a trellis; thrives in shade for foliage interest.

Maximize color by packing multiple pots at the trellis base: combine a honeysuckle, morning glories, and sweet peas. Also, plant impatiens around the pot edges—fertilize weekly for a continuous carpet of bloom beneath the vines.