Plants for Clay Soil: Vines

We’re continuing our quest for interesting ground cover ideas to replace a small lawn area in our East Bay home. This time I'm considering vines, which are typically grown vertically on a structure. But how about growing vines horizontally as ground cover, like we do with some kinds of English ivy? Only using drought-tolerant, California natives (or at least Mediterranean natives)?

I'm using the online tool http://www.waterwonk.us/ (free, with a log on account) to help. My search criteria include North Central Coast, Vine, California Native, and Reduced Summer Water. The tool recommends plants using Bob Perry's Landscape Plants for California Gardens. Here are some of my favorites.

• Clematis lasiantha (Pipestem or Chaparral clematis) – deciduous vine with stems 12-18 feet long. Many small white flowers with yellow stamens in early spring; seed heads with long feathery tails mature in summer. Native to the dry foothills of California and Baja California; grows in oak woodland and chaparral communities, often using other plants for support. Grown as a habitat plant, and on fences in ornamental gardens. Low water use. Ranunculaceae family. 
• Hardenbergia comptoniana (Western Australia coral pea) – deep green leaves divided into 3 leaflets, each 2-3 inches long, on vines 8-10 feet long. Small violet-blue, pea-shaped flowers with white tips crowded together in 3-inch long hanging racemes. Moderate to slow growth. Prefers slightly acid, well-drained soil, with regular winter moisture and drier summer conditions. Native to coastal plains and eucalyptus groves in Western Australia. Moderate water use. Fabaceae family.
• Hardenbergia violaceae (Lilac vine) – a shrubby vine with deep-green, lanceolate leaves, and twining, woody stems 10-15 feet long. Prefers slightly acid, well-drained soil, with regular winter moisture and drier summer conditions. Moderate water use. Native to eastern and southern Australia, but commonly planted in California for its mid-winter to early-spring flowering cycle. H.v. 'Alba' has white flowers, and H.v. 'Happy Wanderer' has purple flowers and is the most robust. Fabaceae family.
• Lonicera hispidula (Pink chaparral honeysuckle) – a deciduous vining shrub that sprawls 3-4 feet high, and 8-10 feet wide, or climbs on a trellis to 8-10 feet high. Pale green leaves in opposite pairs on reddish stems that fuse at the base. Fragrant flowers in clusters of cream to pink in spring, then red berry-like fruit. California native from foothill habitats, usually in canyons or along streams in the understory. Tolerates heat and cold, full sun to partial shade, and moist to dry soils. Low water use. Use on banks to control erosion, or as a ground cover plant, or a vine. Provides nectar and berries for birds.  Caprifoliaceae family. 

Lonicera hispidula - uploaded to public domain by Stickpin

• Lonicera subspicata (Chaparral honeysuckle) – a deciduous vining shrub that sprawls 3-4 feet high, and 8-12 feet wide, or climbs on a trellis to 8-12 feet high. Small dark green leaves, maroon stems, creamy white flowers, and red berries. California native from central and southern coastal foothills, within the chaparral plant community (also northern parts of the Sierra Nevada mountains). Low water use. Can be used as a ground cover. Provides nectar and berries. Caprifoliaceae family.
• Sollya heterophylla (Vining bluebell) – a vigorous vining evergreen plant that sprawls 3-4 feet high, and 5-6 feet across, or climbs on a trellis to 5-7 feet high. Shiny, bright green, linear leaves from 1-2 inches long, on twisting stems. Purple-blue flowers in clusters at the end of branches late spring through summer. Native of the coastal and inland regions of Western Australia, and adapts well to coastal, inland, and valley zones in California. Prefers light shade, regular winter moisture through spring, and less water in summer. Low water use. Use as an understory plant on banks, and below trees. Vines that lay on the ground often root in moist soils. Pittosporaceae family.

Good sources:

• Annie’s Annuals and Perennials: http://www.anniesannuals.com/
• Bay Natives: http://www.baynatives.com/
• California Flora Nursery (no mail order, but located 63 miles north of Oakland/Berkeley): http://www.calfloranursery.com/
• Las Pilitas Nursery (Santa Margarita): http://www.laspilitas.com/