My vine is in considerable shade, since I grow it up one of the posts supporting the roof of our covered walk. Hence, it gets absolutely no overhead sun or light. It fruits for me, but not as profusely as the photos I've seen of vines simply loaded with berries in fall. Mine produces enough to notice, but nothing like what it might with more sun.
Prune vines back in early spring to remove any winter damage or keep them within bounds. Propagation of var. Elegans is only by cuttings, since seedlings seldom come true. Cuttings of soft growth can be taken in summer, inserted in sandy medium and kept in a closed frame or covered in a plastic bag to maintain humidity or ripe growth can be struck in fall and kept in a sheltered spot outside.
I'm quite fond of my vine, but I can see that I need to pay closer attention to it and grub out the self-sown bits. This is a lovely plant who bears close watching!
Another Grape
I battle wild grapes in my woods and garden continuously, but there are two grapes I've longed to grow. One is Vitis coignetiae, the Crimson Glory Vine. I've seen this in the UK, covering those marvelous old walls and it truly is a glorious sight in fall. It's not for the small garden, mind, but if there is space - a wall or building that needs covering or a solitary old tree, it is worth finding. One of these days...
Not Really For Shade
There are many annual vines, most of which want some sun, and hyacinth-bean vine is one I would not be without. It used to be called Dolichos lablab, but, it appears that the taxonomists have decided that it is now to be know as Lablab purpureus.
A perennial vining member of the Fabaceae (pea) or Leguminosae family, it hails from tropical Africa and is decidedly not hardy in my garden, although I have read that it can be perennial in Florida. There are several varieties, mostly used as forage crops from what I've been able to find. I've run across one named garden form, 'Ruby Moon', a pink-flowered form, although I don't think it's readily available in the US and have no idea what color the pods are.
Like all beans, the large seeds germinate quickly in warm soil. I gather them after frost kills the vines each year and plant them in May. It is a true heat lover and will languish in cool climates unless planted on a warm wall. I plant the seeds in the ground, but they can be started in pots if your season is a short one. They do not like root disturbance, so if you start seeds inside, be sure you can put them out before they get too large.
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