I have no info on the VINES part of your posting, but I did plant a Black Lace Elderberry late last summer. (Got a GREAT price at Menard's year end clearance.)

I have four other elderberries (2 Woodpecker's Alley and 2 unknown), so I thought polination would be no problem. Now I have read that the lacey type sambucas will polinate only with another lacey type. I sure hope that isn't true. I planted it only partially for aesthetics - I mostly wanted more berries. Carmellia

Thunbergia is very easy to start from seeds which are available from most seed venders. Lots of varieties of color. I grew the orange last year but found some pink ones for this year. I have gotten mandevilla from Linders Garden Marts and Bachmann's. Don't know if they sell small starter plants though. This year the mandevilla that I am over wintering is growing well, no blooms but lots of new leaves. I love the pink blossoms. Have you seen the red? There is another vine similar to mandevilla but with smaller smoother leaves, can't think of the name right now. Also found at garden centers in the spring.

How about bougainvillia or flowering maple?

I am in love with Hyacinth Bean vine. It has gorgeous foliage and beautiful spikes of purple and pink/white sweet pea like flowers all summer.

I tried a Scarlet Runner Bean last summer but like the HBV much better.

Best thing about either is you can collect the seeds and grow it again next year!

Linda

I have the Southerland Gold Elderbery, I trained it as a small tree. Everyone thinks it is a Japanese Maple. It gets full sun and flowers and fruit. It really grows fast. This is it's 4th year and stands about 8ft tall. I keep it around 4-5 ft around. Planted the black lace in the late summer not much growth on it.

Linda,

I have tried hyacinth bean twice and never saw a flower...Good sun, nice foliage NO flowers, this disappointed me to no end, Any idea why? I am taking it personally till I find out...

Cosmo1...you do morning glories...right? Can't imagine a summer without them...

Helen.

I am a huge morning glory fan. I like grandpa Otts and star of yelta. I start them from seed because it is outrageous how much the nurseries want for one plant.

Thanks for all the info. regarding the Southerland Gold & the Vines. Have looked up the bean vines & there is one called Ruby Moon / is that a possibility? It's a beaut. Thanks Linda. Mimi, you have your s. gold in the sun? Thats great to hear, since they constantly iterate it's an improved hybred regarding sun, but I did't know if it would fade, or what it was improved over, or why. So part or full sun is okay, good. I did purchase a packet of blushing susie from jungs. As I don't know a thing about growing from seed, I figure, chances are there won't be too many vines coming from that direction. did purchase the lights & flats tho. Helen, while surfing around looking 4 the bean vine, I saw info regarding their liking for non-enriched soil. sorta like cosmos & such. Thank you all!