Select vines suitable for Monroe County woodlands
Species listed are generally conceded to be either native to Monroe County, Pennsylvania or, if absent on distribution maps, are found in distribution in surrounding counties and may have been missed in distribution analysis, extirpated due to development, or are reasonably expected to do well in local landscapes.
The list is restricted to those species that are commercially available for purchase, with relative availability measured by few (one to five mail order nurseries), several (six to fourteen mail order nurseries) and many (more than fifteen nurseries). In some cases, named varieties exist, but were not included in the rankings.
Specifically excluded are very aggressive vines and those which pose hazards, such as Poison Ivy and several poisonous species.
The purpose of the list is to provide for general groupings of species; once grouped, user is encouraged to evaluate relationships in greater detail to establish ecologically sound landscape patterns or woodland restoration.
Light references (SU for sun, PS for part shade and SH for shade) may not be accurate predictors in a specific habitat and should be used only as general guidance. See other articles relating to shade evaluation elsewhere on this site for details.
Moisture requirements are as reported by many observers. "Dry to moist" can suggest a range of habits or mesic, and both dry and moist are relative terms.
Soil notes are reported as discovered from many sources and are designed to assist in narrowing combinations to useful habitat collections.
| Species | Light | Water | Soil | Cty? | Avail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clematis occidentalis | SU PS | dry - moist | rocky loam | Y | few |
| Clematis virginiana | SU PS SH | dry - moist | clay loam sandy organic | Y | many |
| Lonicera hirsuta | SU PS | dry - moist | sandy loam | Y | few |
| Lonicera sempervirens | SU PS | dry - moist | sandy clay loam | Y | many |