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Monday, March 18, 2013

Creeping and Crawiling and Climbing All Over...Just The Way We Want Them To!


When it comes to vines...there are no limits...



oh my!!!  ...here is a dream of mine....



Oh!!! … and here is another...TOOTSIE!!! QUIT DAYDREAMING AND GET TO IT!

Climbing plants bring height to our gardens. They offer us attractive alternatives to the view of our gardens AND offer a feeling of lusciousness that other plants do not. They also help us hide some of the less attractive areas of the garden. Any vertical surface will offer a place of support for climbers to grow on.
 
DSCN1791
 
Yep! This vine is one that I grew myself.  This was my house!…before the move.

There are climbers that will support themselves, such as the Trumpet Vine, the Ivy's such as Hedra Helix, Virginia Creeper, Climbing Hydrangea, and Boston Ivy to name a few. These plants will require a little bit of help in the beginning, but once established, will cling to pretty much any surface they come into contact with. Others will require constant help to stay in the upright position. This is where the Trellis comes into play.



great idea....

Trellis's come in a variety of styles. There are the ones that offer an attractive backdrop until the vine has covered it up...these might be made of wood, wire or even plastic. The choice of trellis will depend on your location, taste and the type of plant you will be using on it. They come in virtually any shape or size to cover almost any surface imaginable! You can even be creative and make your own to suit your exact needs.
 


okay...this might be a little over the top...but you get the point.

A trellis that is attached to a wall or fence should be done in such a way that as much air can circulate behind it as possible. This can be achieved by putting a piece of wood attached to the structure or wall and attaching the trellis to that wood. Another thing to consider when attaching a trellis to a wall or a fence is structure maintenance. Make the trellis easily removable...so that when the time comes to paint or repair the support...you can do it easily by removing the trellis and laying it down during the repair, and re-attaching it afterward.
 


…fun for the kids to do!  They can play inside this trellis after it fills in!



I'm in love with this idea...

When you have decided on the location for your climbing plants...you can start to think about the type of plant you will want to purchase for this area. Make sure you do your homework before you choose the plant...so that you will be guaranteed a better chance at success.
 
If you want to see an ever changing view...annual vines are a good choice. You can change them each year and see something different. Morning Glory and Sweet Pea are good suggestions.
 
july 2 2006 022
 
I used to plant morning glory on my little greenhouse to hide it in the summer months...
 
rash 129
 
...Once I got all the seedlings planted into the garden...it was used as garden storage.  The vines did a great job of camouflaging what was inside.
 
If you have a flag pole, or telephone pole you want to hide…
 
BeFunky_IMAG0221.jpg
 
Don’t forget to dress up the top of the pole…ha ha…like I did to my parent’s (Grammie and Grampie’s) flag pole…I added a garden gnome as a joke…and they love it!
 


If you are going to be planting in a shaded area...Chocolate Vine, American Bittersweet, Clematis (some varieties), Hydrangea, Boston Ivy and Honeysuckle are good choices.

If your climber is to be planted in a sunny area, you might consider Kiwi, Blue Passion Flower, Jasmine, Grape Vines, or Wisteria.
 


What if you are looking for a sweet smelling plant? Try Clematis Armandii, Clematis Montana, Japanese Honeysuckle, Rose bushes, or Wisteria.

When you have selected the perfect plant for your location...you will need to practice a few simple rules when you plant:
 
1. Do not plant the vine any closer than 18 inches from the wall or fence. This distance will help make the drying effects of the wall or house less of a problem. Structures are often less hospitable for plantings as they tend to be sheltered from the moisture of rains etc. You will need to remember to add water to the area at regular intervals.
 
2. Young plants will require a little help in the training process. This means you may need to tie the branches of the vines to the trellis for the first little bit until they become established.
 
3. Follow planting directions for each plant species. Clematis for example likes to be planted fairly deep. This will guarantee you a better chance for a healthy plant, as all plants have particular likes and dislikes.
 
4. After you have dug yourself the initial hole for the plant, angle it at about a 45 degree angle toward the trellis. This way the plant will be inclined to grow toward the structure instead of away, or straight up.
 
5. Remove the support that comes with your plant from the nursery BEFORE you plant it in your garden. It is much easier to remove before rather than after you plant them. Trust me on this one...I know all too well...
 
6. Cut back to a healthy place. Remove any damaged or unhealthy looking stems as soon as possible. This gives your plant a better survival rate. If you plant it with damaged or broken stems, the plant will concentrate on those rather than on establishing new growth.
 
7. Dead head and prune regularly. Remove spent blooms as soon as they show signs of wear, to encourage more blooms to appear. If you leave spent blooms on the vine, they will become seed pods and your plant will think it is finished for the season...not to mention look rather icky. Cutting back your vines a little at the appropriate time of year (for each plant this might vary) will encourage new growth and more branching.
 
By starting out with a good and healthy plant, of good quality and characteristics appropriate for your location, you are sure to be rewarded with plenty of new growth and a lovely display on your trellis.
 
So, that's it in a nutshell, that is all I know …at least for today!   Long enough post for ya?  :)
 
If I have missed discussing  anything here...please let me know. After all....I have never claimed to be a professional...and I admit I am self taught. All I know how to tell you is what has worked for me!
 
I look forward to seeing you all again …hopefully within in the next day or two with some of the progress I have made on my home decorating projects!

You will notice in the comments that there are some dated from 2009.  That is because I had originally written this post WAY back then.  I have since learned a few things, and had some great photos to add and some more experience to contribute!  Thank you for taking the time to stick around if you have already read it!

 


Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!

*)*)*)   Be with somebody because they make you want to be a better person, NOT because that somebody wants to make you into their version of a better person!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com
 
***I apologize, that I did not have the credits for the origins of the photos that are not watermarked in this post. I had collected them years ago ....before pintrest..and I do not know who to credit.   I believe most of them were just a simple Google search.   ***

31 comments:

Unknown said...

I am just getting into more climbers this year and am having a blast with them. Great post Tootsie! Love the front of your home.

artis1111 said...

When we first moved in our neighbor planted ivey for ground cover under some trees. She has moved and a young couple moved in . Well the ivey has covered the trees and is coming through our fence. It will take over. I keep cutting all of it off my fence, but there is no stopping it.Hubby has even taken the mower on the other side of the fence and mowed it. Still there. I have sprayed killer across fence,STILL THERE! How do you kill it. It is killing the trees. Kathy

"Blossom" said...

Tootsie, the first photo is just what I would love to have in my back yard. I am making avaible to you to do your magic and I will donate the space; my space, my back yard for you to see if this is really what you want. I thought it was a great idea; how about you? Have a great week-end. I have a wedding this week-end it is one of my best neighbors who's son is getting married in her garden at home.

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Good morning, great tips today. I love using Ivy and Wisteria to hide things I don't like looking at.
Molly

Joyce said...

I am learning so much from reading your posts. The front of your home is amazing. I have a condo now and just put a small climbing vine in a pot with a trellis support. I needed some color and it looks great.
Joyce

Cathy S. said...

The front of your house is beautiful!
I can't wait until my vine start to cover the top of my pergola. Great post!

Domestic Designer said...

Thanks for all the info. Now I am inspired and need to get busy! :-) Have a great gardening day!

"Blossom" said...

Tootsie, these are the plates that the neighbor brought food over to my mother; now my mother loved to set her tabel. I have 8 plates, 8 bowls and 8 salad plates, don't know why she never had any cups or saucers? They are smaller plates than I usually use but they are very pretty. I will pass them on when I am done; I will tell my girls. Come on bring that shovel.

"Blossom" said...

Oops, another bloger told me that I could find the cups and saucers at replacements.

lilsista said...

Hi! What kind of crawler can I plant ti cover my ugly pillar that supports our front porch roof? I need something that grows like lightening and likes both shade and sun. When can you come over peachy pants? I need help!

Dirt Princess said...

I've got climbers everywhere...they are pretty new though. I have added 2 climbing roses to the front. I want them to grow up the columns on the porch. Great post

momstheword said...

O.k. that settles it. I am moving in with you. Don't argue about it.

BTW, how do you have pretty nails and garden?????

nikkicrumpet said...

I love vines...we've got a Clematis but the little bugger is sure growing slooooow. We planted Wisteria at our last house and it did so well...I've been begging the hubby to let me put up a trellis on the side of the shed and plant another Wisteria there...I think I've finally gotten him talked into it. I always do a Mandevilla around our arbor gate...they bloom so pretty all year. Now I have to stop blogging and go outside again..I just bought a crap load of plants that need to be planted!

Ashley ~ said...

All the pictures are great, but that grapevine covered tunnel is awesome*! _Ashley~

Erin said...

Love you...gave you an award to show my love...forward your blog to my husband to show him that it is all your fault when I say, "hey,I saw this idea..."

http://nagle5.blogspot.com/2009/05/catching-up.html

Unknown said...

Love all those ideas - even 'over the top' was pretty. I have 4 Clematis vines and could do 100 of them because there are so many pretty ones. A friend of mine gave me a Wisteria seed and guess what? It's growing. Not yet an inch but what the hey I just started it. Vines are gorgeous! Nice post Tootsie!!!

The Stylish House said...

Dear Tootsie (AKA) Garden Guru,
I love all of these, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be the second to the last photo. I especially like the romantic look of the purple hanging flower. I also want to tell you I am going to use a great tip you posted earlier. I am getting ready to put a window box up and will be lining it with a plastic trash liner rather then a hard plastic one. The box has an irregular shape on the inside so a molded plastic liner won’t work, but your trash bag trick will be perfect. When I write about it I will link back to your post if that is ok with you. Thank you for the great inspiration.
Cathy

Joyce said...

To answer your question about the header on my blog it is not my yard but wish it was. The photo is one I took at the Philly Flower Show in Pa this year. It is the most amazing flower show every year. If you go to my blog and go to Tablescape when I started my blog in March it will be posted there with lots of great flower photos. You will enjoy the photos since you love flowers.
Joyce

Justine said...

Happy FF! There was no "comment" link at the bottom of that post. WTH?
Man, your greenhouse flowers are looking so beautiful and healthy! And was that my peppers I saw?????????

Justine :o )

imjacobsmom said...

Hey Tootsie, I think that my Morning Glories and Scarlett Runners are actually showing their little heads now. A few have been munched down by the bunnies...A clematis I have on the east side of my garage is doing great, however the two varieties on my fireplace are taking their time this year. I'm on my third year with the climbing hydrangea so it should be taking off this year. I read someplace that they take about 3 years to establish good root structure before they start climbing...is that right? ~ Robyn

Lona said...

Only in my dreams does my wisteria look like that one. I am ready to chop mine down. Your porch is so lovely. That ivy covered house or building is amazing.

Glimpse of My World said...

Hey girlie... Popping in to say hello... love all the gardening tips on climbing vines.. I love clematis, and wisteria!! hope you are enjoying the season!! SmilEs!

My Garden Diaries said...

I loved this post lady! Such great information and inspiration here! Your vines are outstanding! i am going to be growing morning glory over my shed this year so I was excited when I saw your greenhouse with its vines! Cheers to you and I hope that I will be able to get back to gardening when our weather warms up! It is taking forever this year!!!!!

Andrea said...

They are all beautiful and attractive, however different strategies are done in the tropics. Because of high temps here, cement walls do not good structures for vines, as they become so hot that kills the vines on them. Even pipes made into poles kill the vines too. Small metals and nylon wires lessen these.

Country Gal said...

Oh I so needed this sight of summer ! In the midst of a winter storm that's throwing everything at us today ! I love climbing roses and Morning glories going to plant both this year ! Thanks for sharing . Have a good day !

David C. said...

Great re-post, I would have never known! But even better information, and the thought of a hidden area under vines is something I need to consider more. I bet you are really ready to melt off that snow up there, so may our SW sun and warmth move your way...

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog. Great post on vines. Looking forward to reading more on your blog!

Mary
http://marysgardengrows.com

sabri said...

So Gorgeous ...Hope Your Having A Wonderful Day Sweeite...xoxo. ~Sabri ~

siteseer said...

you are always so informative. Looking at my experience I can say that I've been very successful with the trumpet vine. I have total coverage on the wall of my deck that affords plenty of privacy from a neighbor and beautiful blossoms most of the season well into November sometimes. When I planted a pot of Morning Glories on the deck they trailed around the whole deck railing... beautiful. I've tried them in pots out by the barn door and I don't think I was able to water them enough. Maybe this year will be better. As far as clematis goes, let's just say I've all but given up. I haven't been successful, but I love the flowers. So there you have it.... you think you're the only one that can get wordy lol Later

Bonita Jane said...

Wow! I haven't posted for over a year, and am finally getting back "into it!"

Amazing, my first post since long ago was a little bit about vines. And then, the first blog I visited is yours and I'm thrilled with the vines and lovely photos. Thank you, I find it encouraging.

Bonita

Unknown said...

Hi, Thank you for all the information you have given. I have learn't a lot. I can't wait to put it to practice. I have also noted that I do the same Victorian garden in some areas of the garden. Jene