Articles on Gardening | Topics: gardening, gardens, garden
by Octavio R. Morton
Like to Climb? How to Choose the Best Climbing Plants for your Garden
Incorporating climbing vines in a garden is a challenge for new gardeners. Copying English gardens, using roses and clematis can only go so far. For those willing to experiment, there are beautiful vines, which can be trained to climb around doors and trees as well as to hang from pots. Here are some popular choices for you to consider:
1) Kiwi Vine or Actinidia kolomikta
While without a strong scent, this vine has a heart shaped leaf. With new vegetation a purple hue, maturing to a variegated leaf with a touch of pink. Small flowers adorn the plants. The female plants produce grape-like berries, while the male plants are said to have more variegation. 12 - 30' (Zones 4 - 8)
2) Chocolate Vine other wise known as Akebia quinata or Five Leaf Akebia
A fast growing plant, the Chocolate Vine has an oblong leaf, usually grouped in bunches of 5. With flowers that hang like pendants on the vine, this plant is available in either white or a brownish-purple. With a Spicy scent, this plant is sure to add a touch of flavor to your garden. 30-40' (Zones 5 - 8)
3) Climbing Snapdragon or Asarina
Looking quite similar in flower to the well-known snapdragon, this versatile vine can be an indoor or outdoor vine with flowers in red, pink, lavender and blue with white chins. A great flowering-twining vine this plant can be cut back once the flowers drop off. This vine would be fantastic spilling over walls or out of a planter. 6 - 8' (Hardy Annual)
4) Trumpet Vine or Campsis radicans
With the possibility of growing to 40', this native American plant is a fantastic choice! It can thrive in both the hot summers and cold winters, this plant would be fantastic for a northern gardener. Because of the woody vine this plant needs a sturdy support. While still looking beautiful in the winter this plant does need to be maintained to keep the flowering at its peak. Being a perennial vine this makes it a great addition to your garden, with flowers in orange red and yellow. Don't be disheartened if you do not see flowers right away, it can take a few years for the flowers to grow. However, they are well worth it, this plant is loved by both hummingbirds and butterflies. (Zones 5 - 9)
5) Cathedral Bells, Cup and Saucer Vine or Cobaea scandens
Start this plant early by placing the seeds on their sides, making them less disposed to rot. The flowers may take time to bloom, so it is very important to get them in t he ground early. Lavender or blue trumpets with a green collar of green will sweetly scent your garden. The vine can reach up to 20'. (Annual)
6) Climbing Hydrangea or Hydrangea petiolaris
| Quote of the Day |
It is closing time in the gardens of the West and from now on an artist will be judged only by the resonance of his solitude or the quality of his despair.
| —Cyril Connolly (1903–1974) |
|
|
Although a slow starter, this vine makes a beautiful white lacy flower that is unbeatable in June. Needing a strong support, this plant attaches with aerial roots. Dry the flower heads on the vine for a bit of winter interest. Totally worth the time investment!!! 10 - 80' (Zones 4 - 7, to 9 with afternoon shade)
7) Morning Glory or Ipomoea tricolor
A vine from everyone's youth that is easy to grow, this vine although an annual, will self-seed readily. It can and will grow and twine around anything in its path. With flowers that close in the afternoon heat, this delicate vine is a great enhancement to any garden. These are available in a variety of colors. 10 -12' (Annual)
8) Passionflower, Maypop or Passiflora incarnata
One of 400 varieties of passionflower, this plant is generally considered a tropical plant; this species hales from the southeast U.S. and can actually survive some freezing temperatures. With purple and white exotic flowers this plant adds a touch of the tropical to any garden. Large serrated leaves, a woody vine and tendrils that help the plant cling to the structure complete the exotic touch to the garden. Bring the vine indoors for the winter to bring the plant back for the next year.15'- 20' (Zones 7+)
9) Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Thunbergia alata
This short annual vine does well in containers kept off the ground. With flowers that mimic black-eyed Susans, the one and a half inch flowers often having a dark center. While the containers are a wonderful way to display the vine, planting will really help the vine take off.
6' (Annual)
10) Canary Creeper, Bird Vine, or Tropaeolum peregrinum
With blooms starting in July and going through October, this vine adds a great late addition to your garden. A member of the naturtium family the yellow flowers really do look similar to feathery birds, and at only one inch, these flowers will be a nice contrast with the divided palm shaped leaves. A quick grower, this vine is not much of a climber but would look terrific falling over a short wall or growing through flowerbeds.8 - 12' (Zones 9 - 10).
|
We strive to provide
only the finest articles on our website. If
there is a specific gardening-related topic that you would like us to cover, please contact us here.
Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Like to Climb? How to Choose the Best Climbing Plants for your Garden" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FlowersPlantsGardening.com. |
Wedding Flower Facts Choosing your Bouquet
By Vasavi Le
When it comes to dramatic and distinctive design, hand-tied French twist bouquets incorporating bold ribbons and pearls will make a striking statement. Cascading bouquets, a current popular selection for brides, will continue to add drama....
Beating the Heat The Hardiest Vegetables to Plant in a Sunny Garden
By Kolby David
There is nothing better than eating vegetables that come from your own back yard. Planning and choosing what type to plant is the hard part for sure....
The Do's and Don'ts of Hedge Planting
By Kay Booth
When planning your hedge, do choose a plant that will grow in your climate zone. Your hedge must be able to tolerate the conditions that exist in your zone such as frost, heavy rainfall, snow, and coastal winds or hot and cool temperatures....
Inexpensive Flowers
By Uriel Kane
Flowers are something that add beauty to almost any environment, but many cant afford to buy fresh flowers for the house every few days. There are inexpensive flowers you can buy, but they can add up in prices after a while....
A Budding Chef? Your Guide to Planting the Right Herbs for the Kitchen
By Gerardo Jimenez
A Budding Chef? Your Guide to Planting the Right Herbs for the Kitchen Whether your home is large, small, or you live in an apartment an herbal garden can add not only variety and spice to your cooking but also a bit of decoration to your home. Herb gardens can be grown both indoors and out....
In The Zone Where You Live Can Impact How You Plant
By Yehudi Underwood
You have found the most beautiful plants and you know they will add tranquility and peace to your garden and you cannot wait to bring them home and begin planting them. Whether you are an avid gardener or just beginning it is important to know which zone you live in....
|
