Incorporating Climbing Vines into Your Landscape Design
When you think of climbing vines, you probably think of the ivies that give elite colleges their nickname. However, there are also plenty of flowering vines that flourish in our climate and can be used to brighten up a yard. Maybe you have a vertical garden in a small space , maybe your picket fence needs a little something to increase your home’s curb appeal , or maybe you just like vines. Whatever the case, we’re here to give some tips on where to include your favorite climbing vines in your landscape design.
Choosing a Vine
One important aspect to keep in mind when choosing where to place your vines is what kind of anchoring system they use.
Climbing roses
Getting Started
Like any other plant, you need to be sure the vine is getting the proper amount of sunlight or shade, and that the soil type is appropriate. When choosing perennial vines, be sure they are Minnesota-hardy, rated for zone 4 or lower. Annuals such as morning glories (or anything rated for zone 5 and above) will have to be replaced every spring.
Set up wire or wooden supports before planting anything. Once that’s all set, you’ll want to plant the vines 12-18 inches away from the base of the structure. This will ensure the roots have have enough room to grow. Next, angle sturdy canes between the new plantings and the main structure. This will train the vines to climb toward the trellis or arbor. If the vine is already long enough to span the space between where it’s planted and the structure, tie whatever stems reach the wire supports with twine. This will keep the vines pointed in the right direction and will ensure they don’t unfurl themselves from the cane structure. Once established, some vines grow very quickly and will require some upkeep to keep trimmed back. Most vines will simply need sunlight and water.
Another element to keep in mind is the type of trellis, arbor, or fence you’re looking to use. Some vines, such as wisteria, become heavy and need something sturdy to attach themselves to, such as wrought iron. Others, like morning glories, can grow on a thin wire or wooden trellis without an issue.
Morning glory vines
Benefits of Climbing Vines
If grown on an arbor or pergola, vines can help create a beautiful shady space during the heat of summer. In the autumn their leaves will fall, letting sunlight stream through in the winter. The dried vines can also help add visual interest during the colder months.
Flowering vines can be used as part of a butterfly garden or to attract other native pollinators. Butterflies and bees are drawn to nectar-heavy varieties, and hummingbirds have been known to flit around morning glories for a meal.
Cautions about Climbing Vines
As mentioned above, some vines have sticky pads or clinging roots that can damage walls. Because of this, you’ll probably want to avoid planting those varieties on the side of your home or other structures (even though it is a very classic look).
Caring for climbing vines can be a little more labor-intensive than other plants, at least to begin. This is due both to the initial training of the vines, and the pruning on fast-growing varieties.
Boston ivy
If you’re thinking about revamping your landscape design and would like to include your favorite climbing vines, the experts at KG Landscape would be happy to help. Give us a call at 763-568-7251 or use our quote system to contact us today.
Plymouth’s clay soil causes soggy lawns, sinking patios, and constant sump pump issues. Learn how smart drainage design fixes it for good.
Minnetonka snow removal done right means safety, efficiency, and property protection—not just plowing. Learn how true winter care works.
Plymouth drainage problems? Fix soggy clay soil and prevent foundation and patio damage with smart drain tile, grading, and discharge solutions.
Edina lawn fertilization: seasonal strategies for lasting color and health. Expert insights on timing, topdressing, and soil care.
Design a Minnetonka outdoor kitchen built for all seasons — cedar, stone, and smart drainage make year-round living effortless.
Medina lawn experts explain how healthy soil—not chemicals—creates lasting weed control through aeration, overseeding, and topdressing.
Medina drainage experts explain how French drains and drain tile systems fix clay soil water issues and prevent muddy lawns and shifting patios.
Edina patio and pool drainage: protect your investment with smart design and precision installation that keeps surfaces beautiful, safe, and stable year-round.
When Pergolas Don’t Last, There’s Always a Reason After nearly two decades of building outdoor spaces across Medina, I’ve seen what happens when pergolas aren’t designed for Minnesota’s conditions. You can spot them a mile away—posts that lean, beams that twist, and concrete pads that have heaved out of level after just a couple of winters. It’s not because homeowners cut corners intentionally. It’s usually because whoever built it didn’t account for what our climate really does to structures that aren’t anchored right. Medina’s heavy clay soil doesn’t drain well. It holds moisture, freezes solid, and then expands like a hydraulic press pushing on everything above it. When pergolas are set on surface-level post bases, that pressure has nowhere to go but up—and the whole thing moves. Even small shifts can cause joints to separate, wood to crack, and hardware to loosen. That’s how a $15,000 structure starts looking tired after a few years instead of standing straight for decades. The truth is, pergolas here aren’t just about shade or looks. They’re about structure, drainage, and how every piece ties into the patio beneath it. A pergola that stands tall through Minnesota winters is built on the same principles as a good foundation—it’s only as strong as what’s underneath it. If you live in Medina and want to enjoy your backyard without worrying about your investment warping or sagging, start with design that respects the environment it’s built in. That means thinking beyond lumber and stain colors. It means understanding soil movement, water management, and the importance of integrating your pergola with the patio below it.
Solutions for Properties in Minnetonka You can always tell a Minnetonka yard that’s fighting its slope. Water doesn’t lie, it finds the weak spots every time. I’ve walked plenty of properties where a backyard starts beautiful in June, but by September, the patio is heaving, the grass near the pool looks like a marsh, and the homeowner is wondering how it got so bad so fast. The truth is, when you’re dealing with rolling terrain and heavy clay soils like we have around Minnetonka, you can’t just move dirt and hope gravity behaves. You need a plan that manages water from the surface all the way down through the subsoil. This is what I’ll walk you through here. You’ll see what actually causes drainage issues on sloped properties, how poor planning leads to cracked patios and shifting pool decks, and the smart drainage systems that can stop those problems for good. Whether you live near Lake Minnetonka or up in the higher ridges closer to Deephaven or Woodland, understanding how your yard sheds water is the difference between a property that lasts and one that’s constantly under repair. The Real Challenge of Sloped Minnetonka Yards Minnetonka is known for its hills, lakefront properties, and mature trees, but all that beauty comes with a set of challenges below the surface. Most of the soil here is dense clay. It holds water like a sponge and drains slowly, which means after every heavy rain, that water looks for a way downhill. If it doesn’t have a proper outlet, it ends up collecting right where you don’t want it, like along your patio, at the base of a retaining wall, or near your pool deck. I see this every season: homeowners trying to solve slope problems with a quick regrade, a layer of rock, or a simple surface drain. Those things might help for a while, but they don’t address what’s really happening underground. Clay soil doesn’t just get wet—it becomes saturated, expanding and contracting with every freeze-thaw cycle. When that happens under a patio or wall, it doesn’t matter how well-built the surface looks. The ground will move, and that movement cracks stone, shifts pavers, and slowly tears apart everything on top. The other challenge with sloped lots is how water interacts with gravity. It accelerates downhill, gaining momentum as it goes. When it hits a flat area like a patio, the water loses speed but not volume, pooling instead of flowing. That’s why I tell clients that “flat spots” on a sloped property are both an opportunity and a responsibility. They’re the best spaces to create usable outdoor areas, but they have to be engineered to handle water movement. I’ve worked on plenty of Minnetonka yards where the backyard has a beautiful view but terrible grading. You can have a perfect slope on paper, but if it directs water toward your house or creates a bowl effect between structures, you’ll end up with soggy soil and standing puddles that never dry. The goal is to move water off and away while keeping the surface level enough for comfort and usability. It’s a fine balance, but when it’s done right, it completely transforms how a property functions.