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Onward and Upward with Vines

If you have limited ground space in your small garden, why not take advantage of vertical space by using climbing vines? Maybe you need to create a privacy wall between you and a neighbor; an evergreen vine on a trellis can do the trick. Maybe your flowering cherry is great in bloom and in the fall, but boring in the summer - grow a summer-flowering vine up through it!

So let’s talk about a few of the vines you can find at Sky Nursery to add beauty and interest to your space. Here are a few of our favorites.

For those sun part-shade areas there are several good performers to choose from. Akebia, an informal plant that has that rambling casual look, is semi-evergreen with 5 leaflets to each leaf and chocolate scented purple-maroon flowers. Clematis has such variety of foliage and color it’s hard to choose, but for a part-shade area I really like Clematis montana ‘Rubens’ with its bronzy new growth and small pink flowers with yellow stamens or Clematis alpina with its dainty appearance, blue-purple flowers and toughness. Sky has a large selection of Clematis to choose from for all your varying tastes. Most like “feet in the shade, head in the sun.”

If you have a full sun location and a sturdy structure, Wisteria is a vigorous climber that blooms in mid spring with large chains of lavender flowers. There are other varieties that come in white, pink and bi-colored (lavender and white). Another strong performer for full sun is the Trumpet Vine. Its arching growth habit and deep orange-red tubular flowers make it a must for hummingbird enthusiasts. Both of these vines mature into large woody specimens and require sturdy structures for support. A more lightweight but showy climber for full sun is the Passion Flower Vine with its exotic otherworldly blossoms and unique fruits.

Shade is a real challenge for some gardeners and here in the northwest it pretty much goes with the territory. Fear not, we have a couple of great suggestions for those shady retreats. Holboellia or China Blue Vine has dark, glossy green foliage and fragrant creamy white blossoms followed by edible blue fruit. This vine does well in sun or shade and likes moist soils. Another shade lover is the Climbing Hydrangea with its creamy lace cap blossoms. Sky has several varieties to choose from including Hydrangea integrifolia, an evergreen form that works well under large trees or against a north-facing wall. Climbing Hydrangea is a self-attaching climber, but may need some staking to get started.

We have many other climbing vines to choose from. Just ask any of our nursery workers and we’ll help you find the best fit for your needs. Remember, the sky’s the limit!

By Joe Abken
Skylights Spring/Summer 2005, Vol 19, No. 2

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