Suggestions for vines

[Mike&Steph]

We have a bed that we tried clematis vines with and had no luck. They're all dead. This is a smaller sized bed that gets sun until about 4pm. Any suggestions? Is there such a thing as a vine that can handle frost?

Thanks! :)

[gardeneratlaw]

I wonder if your clematis got dry before it got established? I'm growing several kinds of clematis and have no trouble with hardiness north of Dallas in zone 7. It is said that clematis likes its roots in the cool and its head in the sun, so I plant most of mine behind a low shading shrub or in front of a southwest fence. I especially like Evergreen clematis (Clematis armandii) and Sweet autumn clematis (Clematis paniculata), both with sweet white flowers.

But it you want to try a different vine, my favorite is Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) a Texas native.
Also:
Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) yellow.
Passionvine (Passiflora caerulea is often evergreen) purple.
Crossvine (Bignonia) coral/yellow/tan.
Silver Lacevine (Polygonum aubertii) white clusters.

A new one for me this year is Evergreen Wisteria (Milettia reticulata) but I don't know yet if it is hardy. It's had burgundy wisteria flowers most all summer.