| Climbing Vines |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-602 |
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Q: I want to include climbing plants and vines in my garden. Which ones do you suggest?
A: (Walter Reeves, Ask DIY Gardening expert) There are so many to choose from, some of which can be allowed to climb up the side of the house and others that can be trained to climb up an arbor.
- Boston ivy (figure A) is a vigorous grower. If you have Boston ivy growing on your house, you have to be diligent about cutting it back so it doesn't turn a corner and come in through your windows!
- Wisteria (figure B) can be even worse than Boston ivy when it comes to growing out of control. It has showy, fragrant blooms, but if it doesn't bloom for the first couple of years, don't worry. It will bloom eventually.
- Five-leaf akebia (figure C), another rapid grower, is a deciduous plant; that is, it loses its leaves in the winter.
- Porcelain vine or porcelainberry (figure D) is an invasive vine that birds love for its berries, which start out green but turn a brilliant blue.
- Grapes (figure E) look striking on an arbor -- and they provide delicious fruit (and the main ingredient for wine)!
- Morning glories (figure F) are annuals, which have to be replanted every year. But every morning these vines burst with large flowers in an array of bright colors.
- Thomas Jefferson bean (figure G), or hyacinth bean, was first brought to this country by the president whose name it bears to serve as a forage plant for his cattle. It proved not to be desirable for human consumption, but the cows apparently liked it!
One of the most beautiful of climbers is the clematis, which must be planted with its roots in the shade and its vine in the sun. We found a spot beside a porch that meets these criteria perfectly, thanks to the amount of afternoon sun it receives
Clematis requires good soil with adequate drainage, and because the plant can't support itself when it's first planted, it needs to be given a trellis to help out until it gets stronger. It attaches itself by curling its leaves around a support (or around itself), so you may have to untangle it when you set it out. Don't worry if you break off a couple of leaves -- clematis is a fast-growing vine, so the missing leaves will be replaced in short order.
Attach the clematis to the trellis with soft garden tape (available at garden centers); tie the tape loosely around the plant to encourage the tendrils to curl around the support.
RESOURCES :
Easy, Practical Pruning: Techniques for Training Trees, Shrubs, Vines, and Roses
Model: 0395815916
Author: Barbara Ellis
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-351-5000
Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com
The Garden Trellis: Designs to Build and Vines to Cultivate
Model: 1885183186
Author: Ferris Cook
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