Vines solve problems and extend garden 'up'
Vines can be the solution to many landscape challenges, including creating privacy, providing a lush backdrop for other plants, covering bare spots and dressing up views — all in a narrow space.
Vines extend the garden vertically, covering the “walls” of your garden. They can wander up and over large rocks, climb lampposts, meander along deck railings, cling to fences and tickle the bases of statuary.
The first consideration when planting a vine is its light requirements. Does it require full sun, or would it prefer some shade? Next, consider the way it climbs. Vines are sometimes classified in three categories: twiners, clingers and graspers.
Twiners climb by twisting their stems around or twining their stems through a support such as chain link fencing and lattice panels. These vines cannot climb up a wall without support.
Honeysuckle vine is a perennial twining vine. Attractive tubular flowers bloom in summer and attract hummingbirds. It grows best in full sun but will tolerate a spot in partial sun.
Fiveleaf akebia grew quickly to cover a pergola and provide privacy in my yard. It could also be grown as a groundcover on a slope to control erosion. This perennial vine performs in sun to part shade.
Morning glories are an old-fashioned favorite. Their impressive flowers in shades of blue, pink, red or white bloom all summer and their heart-shaped leaves form a lush mat of green. Plant morning glory seeds in spring after all danger of frost has passed in average soil in full sun. This is an annual vine so plan to replant every year.
Clingers climb by attaching themselves by aerial rootlets or adhesive discs. They grow best on rough surfaces like brick, stone or bark.
Just like the walls of Wrigley Field, Boston ivy can cover your garden walls. It grows quickly in sun or shade, and the rich green foliage glows fiery red in fall.
Climbing hydrangeas boast large, white flowers that bloom in summer; deep green leaves that are lovely for three seasons; and cinnamon-colored, exfoliating bark that provides winter interest. It grows in sun or shade, but a spot with protection from hot afternoon sun is best. Climbing hydrangeas need a large, sturdy support. Mine is planted at the base of a large maple tree. Part of the stems grow up the trunk; others grow across the floor of my shade garden.
Graspers, like twiners, grab and coil themselves around a support.
Clematis vines are the best known of this group. Large-flowering types are the most popular and are available in a rainbow of colors. Plant clematis where their heads will dance in the sunshine, but their roots will be cooled by shade.
Sweet peas have been a favorite of gardeners for years. Ruffled blossoms in a wide array of colors fill the garden with exquisite fragrance. Plant this annual vine from seed as soon as the ground can be worked in spring in an area that gets morning sun and afternoon shade.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist, garden writer and speaker. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.