Native Ferns & Vines Supporting Coastal Habitats & Wildlife

This is a selection of ferns and vines native to coastal habitats. Ferns can add a soft touch to the hard edges of your garden and illuminate shady areas with their fresh, light absorbing greens. Although usually found in wetland areas, they can tolerate good garden soil with afternoon shade. Coastal areas of the southeast abound in beautiful vines. This list emphasizes vines with ornamental landscape value but also includes species that add beauty to the larger landscape. All of these plants provide important shelter and food to wildlife.

Ferns

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron)
Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Cinnamon Fern (Osmundo cinnamomea)
Royal Fern (Osmundo regalis)
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
Southern Shieldfern (Thelypteris kunthii)
Netted Chainfern (Woodwardia areolata)
Virginia Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica)

Vines

EVERGREEN

Yellow Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Climbing Fetterbush (Pieris phyllyreifolia)
Climbing Buckthorn (Sageretia minutiflora)

(Outside the garden or for the large landscape, allow the following to remain on your property):
Earleaf Greenbrier (Smilax auriculata)
Laurel Greenbier (Smilax laurifolia)
Roundleaf Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia)

DECIDUOUS

Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata)
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
Swamp Leather Flower (Clematis crispa)
Vase-vine (Clematis reticulata)
Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana)
Carolina Coralbead (Cocculus carolinus)
Pink Tievine (Ipomoea cordatotriloba)
Scarletcreeper (Ipomoea hederifolia)
Man of the Earth (Ipomoea pandurata)
Saltmarsh morning-glory (Ipomoea sagittata)
Angle Pod (Matalea gonocarpos)
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea)
American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)

(Outside the garden or for the large landscape, allow the following to remain on your property):
Peppervine (Ampelopsis arborea)
Spurred Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum)
Atlantic Pidgeonwings (Clitoria mariana)
Gulf Coast Swallow-wort (Cynanchum angustifolium)
Beach Morning-glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
Blackberries and Dewberries (Rubus sp.)
Summer Grape (Vitis aestivalis)
Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia)