Entwined among the vines

            Be like the flower.....
                         turn your face to the sun.

Morning Glory

  Vines are a great addition to any garden.  Pergolas, Obelisks, Trellises and walls all work well in a large or small area. They add color and texture without taking up a lot of ground space. They can add privacy or cover up ugly walls and fences.  For me it was an old stove pipe which I covered up with the fast growing Chocolate Vine. It has a beautiful chocolate colored flower in the spring and then just takes off growing vigorously for the rest of the season.

Chocolate Vine

 My Climbing Rose is up against a shed and even though it is not an ugly wall it's stark white facade looked like a blank canvas waiting to be painted. The rose and trellis give it character, drawing your eye up and away from the stark white wall, you notice the rose not the wall. This rose has a wonderful scent and makes a great cut flower which in my opinion is an added bonus.

Climbing Rose

Pinot Noir Grape Vine

Two years ago I bought a 'Pinot Noir' grape vine. I liked the idea of trying to grow grapes.
 This year it's has grown too big for the space and unfortunately I don't have another space to put it. Grape vines need a strong support which I don't have. The leaves are so big and the vine was growing so fast, it was taking over. I have since dug it up and will give it to my nephew who lives in the country. A much better place for it.
 So keep that in mind if you decide to try and grow grapes, they need space and strength. Other vines that need a strong support are Wisteria, which I think is one of the most beautiful vines as well as the Trumpet Vine.
 Good sense has kept me from buying the Wisteria but I was given the Trumpet vine as a gift so I needed to give it a try. It is  an amazing vine with so many blooms and vibrant color and is a great plant for luring Hummingbirds to your garden. I had it for several years but be warned that it will pop up all through you garden. Mine was coming up in my grass and my neighbors yard, precariously close to their pool.
 One of my sister's tried it on her fence but eventually like mine it was coming up everywhere and she ended up taking it out. I wish I had the space for both of those vines but live and learn. Know your space.

Clematis

 There are plenty of other vines to choose from, annual or perennial, blooming or not. 

 Ivies are great for covering a large space and are beautiful in the fall when their leaves turn many shades of red. Hydrangea is another vine that is great for large areas and adds a bit of subtle white to it's large green leaved body. 

 If you are looking for a fast growing annual, Morning Glory always adds a great punch of color as does the Black Eyed Susan.



Other annuals that add a great punch of color are the Bouganvilla and Mandavilla, they are tropical plants and love the sun so make sure you have a hot spot for them. You can grow them in a planter with an obelisk which is a nice addition to any small space or deck.

 I love the smell of the Jasmine vine and might have to try that one day. I have also tried the Honeysuckle vine but it seems to attract aphids so I gave up on that one. I may try it again though since it is also a Hummingbird magnet and has such an abundance of blooms and color, it will be worth it.

 The Clematis of course is always a great choice, there are so many different ones to choose from and they also bloom at different times so you can have a succession of color all through the season. As you know from one of my previous blogs one of my favorites is the 'Sweet Autumn' Clematis. Blooming late summer early fall with so many tiny white scented flowers, you can't ask for a better fall display.

'Sweet Autumn' Clematis

So don't forget about the vertical spaces in your garden. Paint those empty canvases with flowers using every little space of garden possible. Don't be afraid to try something new and if it dosen't work, pass it on to someone else to try.

Happy Gardening!!