Planting Tips For Vines And Climbing Plants
 (Read 250+ times)
By Glory Lennon
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If there were a “Survivor” television show for plants, the vine would be the only one left standing each and every time. The vine and other climbing plants are the most bent towards survival of all the flora kingdom and the strange thing is they have nothing else except survival as their incentive. They don’t care for fame and fortune, you see. Why this survivor attitude is in their nature is anyone’s guess. Perhaps because they started life in dark, dank jungles and had to literally crawl their way up to reach the life sustaining sun. This might have honed their killer instinct much like those poor saps climbing the corporate ladder.
Knowing this we may come to the conclusion that vines and climbing plants would grow with no extraordinary help from the gardener. You would be right about that but there are several things the gardener should be aware of before incorporating vines into the landscape. With this in mind let us go over some essential planting tips for vines and climbing plants.
While all vines and climbing plants are a bit different they all give the landscape a bit of height through their flexible, bendable stems which somehow grab and hold on to other plants, walls or structures such as the trellis. There are for methods vines use for climbing. They are twining, clinging, tendrils or the accidental traveler. Knowing which method your vine is will help you provide adequate support for it.
Twining.
Some vines merely grow in spirals, either clockwise or counter-clockwise using anything in their way, other plants, a fence or trellis. These include Star Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Morning Glory, Wisteria, Hops and Runner Beans. These usually don’t go around very wide diameter poles or trees but if you provide thin sticks, cord or string they will use those very easily to reach for the sun.
Another tip for the twining vine, though you might consider it trivial, is that each vine will choose only one way to grow, either clockwise or counter clockwise and no matter what you do it will refuse to go the opposite way. It’s just a bit stubborn that way. So learn which way it goes so when you are helping it along you will be doing it correctly. If you disregard this don’t be surprised when you come back to it the next time it will have unraveled itself. Yes, it can and will happen. No fooling.
Clinging.
These vines have protrusions somewhat like suction cups or tiny roots which cling to walls, trees, brick or wood structures. Some examples of clinging vines are English Ivy, Climbing Hydrangea, Virginia Creeper and Trumpet or Hummingbird vine. These could be troublesome if allowed free reign as they could start poking themselves into crevices and completely overwhelm some buildings until there is no finding the door anymore. Don’t think this an exaggeration! The Big green monster in Wrigley field where baseballs go to die started out as a few Ivy plants and is now 4 feet thick. There’s even a rumor a few players are still lost in there. Yes, vines can be scary if you let them on their own so, don’t let them!
Tendrils.
These thin extensions along leaves and stems wrap around anything that gets within their grasp. As they are rather small only wire, string or the thin stems of other plants will be useful for these to climb. This type of vine is perfect for covering the chainlink fence or any trellis made with slender cross pieces no more than an inch in diameter. Examples of vines with tendrils are Grape, Passion flower, Clematis, Sweet Pea and Cup-and-Saucer.
The Accidental Traveler.
This is the vine with no visible means of support but their stems are long and flexible giving them the ability, if conditions are right and they are planted within easy reach of other plants which can help them along. The climbing rose is the best example of the Accidental Traveler because it has thorns which can hook onto a tree or shrub and simply go for the ride. The gardener in important for this type of vine as he will likely have to tie the climber to a fence post, trellis or other garden structure to keep it off the ground. Others in this group are Bougainvillea and Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei radicans).
It should be easy to see which method each vine uses to climb. If not the gardener should ask a knowledgeable person as each vine does better with a specific support system. Another question to consider about your vine before planting it is how vigorous a grower it is. Most vines are notorious for growing like demons but they can be tamed. Again this is a query for the experience gardener.
Wisteria, Hummingbird vine, Honeysuckle and Virginia Creeper are all thought to be quite aggressive but are easily contained with a bit of pruning and when planted in the right spot. This would be where they won’t be a bother to you such as away from other plants which the vine might use to climb on and become tangled and a nuisance. Planting the very aggressive vine with strong supports will enable it to grow to its heart’s content and still give you enough control over it so it remains a good addition to your landscape.
The prefect vine is waiting for you and now that you know all this it should be easy for you to find. All you need do is some asking of those garden buddies who have already grown some. They’ll tell you the scoop and then you will have the addition of a beautiful vine in your garden. Nothing better than that.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 For amusing short stories visit http://www.helium.com/users/32782. For an intriguing novelette-in-progress visit: http://www.myspace.com/glorygarden.
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