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Vines are a curious plant. They can either crawl on the ground or attach themselves onto other plants, trees, walls, really, whatever they can use, and grow up to the sky. They have flexible stems which can do amazing things. They twine and twirl around things and virtually become a part of that thing. At times the vine can dig its roots into a tree and actually get nutrients from it. Vines can entangle so thoroughly a tree that it can smother it, kill it completely. Sounds a bit like a monster of a plant, don’t you think?
In fact the vine is rather the monster of the floral kingdom. At the very least you can call them bullies or parasites. Vines are invasive by nature. They have the most concentration of the hormone plants use as a survival mechanism, the hormone for rooting. Vines have the ability to root all along their stems and in extremely humid conditions they produce air roots. These roots are used to secure them onto plants so they can reach the sun and to gather water for their own survival. This helps them survive in the jungle where many creature grab at them for their own survival often times breaking the vine apart. Having these other roots ensures they can live on. Survival is big with vines and that is why they have a tendency towards being invasive. They want to live and they often feel threatened. Because they are so invasive we’re constantly trying to tame them making them feel threatened. It’s a vicious cycle.
Now don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against the vine. I have several in and around my gardens but they do require a great deal of diligence to prevent them becoming a nuisance. Most trees and flowers can’t root along their stems too readily like the vine but they do toss out multitudes of seeds and some of them can be just as invasive. But if there was a contest my bet would be on the vine as the survivor.
Now that I told you the scary bit about vines I should inform you of the good things about them. They are vigorous growers which little more than outright abuse can’t kill. They can be trained to do your bidding. I did say what makes them unique in the plant world is their flexible stems. These stems are be attached to a trellis, entwined around a lamppost or trained onto a wall, brick or stone. Living statues are made at such places as Disney world with the use of vines grown on moss covered wire forms. You, the gardener, are in control and can direct the growth of these usable plants to fit your needs.
Have an unsightly view on the other side of a chainlink fence? Grow a thick Honeysuckle, Hops vine or Virginia Creeper and you’ll never be bothered again. Want to add a bit of height to a perennial bed? Erect a simple 3 or 4 pole teepee and grow Silver lace vine or Scarlet runner beans. It’s a pretty sight and the early picked pods are tasty. Is your arbor not as shady as you had hoped? Plant a wisteria at each corner. The thick leaves cover it nicely providing you a haven from the harsh rays of the sun plus the scent and beauty of the lavender blue flowers in the spring are to die for.
Some vines make excellent ground covers to prevent soil erosion such as Ivy and winter creeper. And there’s no denying that vines are lovely. From the climbing Hydrangea, the wide array of flower forms and colors of the clematis, Passion flower and the trumpet vine, these all add vibrancy to any garden scheme. Butterflies come in droves, birds gobble up the berries, bees love them prodigiously and hummingbirds can’t get enough of them. All in all, the pros out number any cons.
Do give a little niche of your garden for a vine. They will reward you with many pleasures. And if by chance one gets a bit out of hand, just remember there are many people who would love a little plant from your very vigorous grower me included.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 To find more on gardening visit
http://www.helium.com/user/show/32782.
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