Climb to new heights with flowering vines!
Many folks overlook vertical gardening yet it is such a dynamic element. Drawing the eye
upward provides another landscaping dimension, especially important for smaller properties.
The sky becomes a ‘borrowed view’, making the garden seem bigger than it really is.
Why Climbers?
- Colorful flowers or foliage
- Camouflaging ugly walls, fences and other eye-sores
- Acting as a groundcover when allowed to scramble along the ground
- Decorating shrubs and trees by twining up and over them
- Providing privacy
- Providing shade or ‘roofing’
Choosing climbers
it is important to know how they ascend. This will dictate what
kind of structure they need to achieve their goal. There are three ways for climbers to get
where they want to go – up:
Twiners
The plant winds all, or a part of itself, around trellises, poles, string, chain-link fences and other structures. Some plants (Wisteria pictured) wrap their whole ‘body’ around the structure. These climbers need heavy-duty supports to carry this responsibility. Other plants use tendrils or leaf stalks (petioles) to twirl around slender supports such as chicken wire, netting, string, fishing line or trellises. Clematis and Morning Glories are in this group. Most climbers fall in the twiners category.
Clingers
These vines attach themselves to solid surfaces by aerial roots or adhesive discs. Potential supports include large trees, masonry surfaces, wood fences and other rough surfaces. Climbing Hydrangea and Trumpet Vine (pictured) fall into this group.
Scramblers or Ramblers
These plants don’t actually climb on their own. They need help being attached with something like twine or string. Climbing roses fall into this category.