“Come out and see this!” Chris, my husband, exclaimed on a recent Saturday morning. He had stopped at a garage sale and purchased what he deemed a treasure. He was thrilled to find a small metal ladder that had oval planting containers hooked on several rungs. His vision included setting the raised planter near our vegetable garden and having vines grow to cover the sides and rungs of the ladder with beautiful flowers. After talking through a few options, we decided to plant morning glory seeds in the three metal planters. We knew whatever we planted in the small containers would not live through the winter so an annual vine seemed like the natural choice. I view morning glories as a guilty pleasure. Although they can be invasive, each time I see them they make me smile.
Vertical gardening adds visual interest that is often difficult to accomplish any other way. It is a unique way to add beauty to your landscaping. When the footprint of an area is small, often times, going up is the only option. Vertical gardening also leaves room for other types of plants in the same area. Another benefit, for some, is ease of accessing the plants. Bending over can be difficult. With vertical gardening, the height of the plants often negates the need to bend over to tend to them. Vertical gardening offers the opportunity to create a focal point in your garden.
The hardscaping, or the physical structure that the plant or plants will grow on, is just as important, if not more important, than the plants themselves. Choosing a structure that is stable, tall enough to support whatever you want to grow on it, aesthetically pleasing, and if applicable, complies with HOA guidelines, is important. Vines cannot survive, much less thrive without a proper physical support.
Vertical hardscaping structures take the form of trellises, arbors, pergolas, obelisks, raised planters, garden art structures, or fence panels. Many vertical structures will need to be securely anchored to the ground. Unfortunately, wind and weather can uproot these structures if they are not secured properly.
Climbing plants that grow vertically include annual and perennial vines as well as flowering shrubs. Choosing the right type for your structure is important. Flowering shrubs that vine will need a secure structure such as a pergola or fence panel. Annual vines grow well in above ground containers. Perennial vines are versatile and can grow just about anywhere as long as their environmental conditions are correct. Recognizing how a vine attaches itself to a structure is also important. Some vines, such as Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) attach themselves via little discs others such as Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) have aerial roots.
Annual vines offer quick but seasonal coverage. Annual vines are usually planted from seed. They can be started inside and transplanted outside after the chance of frost has passed. Many annual vines can also be directly sown in the planter or ground. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba) and jasmine (Jasminum officinale) are two beautiful vines that grow well in our area.
The genus of Clematis, the most common perennial vine, offers a tremendous variety of cultivars that vary in mature size, flower time and flower color. Viva Polonia Clematis (Clematis ‘Viva Polonia’) a Proven Winners, selection has been known, to produce hundreds of flowers in one season. Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) extends the bloom time by flowering, as the name implies, from August-October. Major Wheeler Climbing Honeysuck (Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major Wheeler’) has gorgeous bright red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Betty Mathews Wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya ‘Betty Mathews’), first discovered in Minnesota is a reliably hardy version of this unique and spectacular vine. Rose Sensation Japanese Hydrangea Vine (Hydrangea hydrangeoides ‘Minsens’) offers a beautiful fragrance through its light pink flowers. This vine also grows well in the shade.
The care and maintenance of vines is similar to other types of plants. Watering, fertilizing and pruning should be done as needed to keep your vines healthy. The pruning of spring blooming vines should be completed after they flower but before approximately mid-June. Vines that prune in the summer or fall can be pruned in early spring. A well-balanced fertilizer can be applied in the spring.
Our morning glory seeds have started to germinate. Hopefully they will fulfill Chris’ vision and produce an abundance of flowers later this summer.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc.,a landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
