Vines dress up desert trees

If you have a lackluster paloverde or mesquite tree in your yard, training a vine up a trunk adds color and interest. In fact, even a dead tree can be disguised by growing vines through its branches.

During spring, most desert trees don't need any extra adornment — they put on their own show of flowers and bright-green new leaves. But in cooler weather, trees begin to show signs of dormancy. A colorful vine weaving through the branches is a definite plus.

In general, deciduous vines with large tubers (like a potato has) grow best in desert trees. Deciduous vines die back each winter, giving the tree time to put out new leaves before being overtaken by green tendrils. Of course, if the tree is dead, concerns for its health need not apply — go ahead with evergreen vines.

Some of the best vines for desert trees

● Queen's wreath (Antigonon leptopus)

Queen's wreath is a vine with big, heart-shaped leaves and flowers that range in color from red (in the "Baja red" variety) to pink and white. Pink flowers are the most common. Queen's wreath forms a halo of color at the top of desert trees. After a hard frost, dead foliage can be pruned off just above the ground for the best winter appearance. Queen's wreath is particularly striking when grown up the green trunk of a paloverde tree.

● Yellow morning glory vine (Merremia aurea)

Huge yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers are the hallmark of this vigorous vine with star-shaped leaves. The flowers are so large that they appear to float over the foliage like neon yellow flying saucers. It's a difficult plant to propagate, and your best chances of finding yellow morning glory are at Tohono Chul Park and Tucson Botanical Gardens.

● Twining snapdragon vine (Maurandya antirrhiniflora) This diminutive little climber has carmine-colored, trumpet-shaped flowers that are good for small trees near walkways where they can be viewed up-close. Twining snapdragon is sometimes found in purple and white varieties as well. Again, this one may take some searching to find.

● Tangerine beauty crossvine (Bignonia capriolata)

If your tree is dead or just very vigorous, this evergreen vine is a good choice. It works well for mesquite trees or other deciduous shade trees. This vine spreads quickly, so be careful. In spring, its large tangerine-colored namesake flowers cover the entire plant.

One vine to avoid in trees

● Snail vine (Vigna caracalla)

Unless your tree is dead as a doornail, don't plant this aggressive vine in a tree. Contrary to its common name, this vine spreads faster than a social disease in a house of ill repute. It will soon overtake and choke the tree. Use with caution.

● Scott Calhoun is a local freelance garden writer.