The Imperfect Gardener

by Adina Sara

Unraveling the Lovely Vines

There's nothing like the thrill of seeing a garden wall completely covered with scarlet bougainvillea or sassy pink trumpet vine, a wall of color so bright and bountiful it can take your breath away. Once established, most perennial vines need little attention and happily make their way along any and all surfaces that will support their habit of profuse growth. But be sure to ask questions before you plant. Know what they are capable of, and assume they will not disappoint.

Before you decide to cover a wall with vines, consider this. Vines grow fast, and they do not take kindly to other plants that get in their way. The morning glory that mysteriously appeared on my property (dropped by a bird, I suppose) makes its annual journey along the power lines, through the rain gutters, and on to wherever it can wrap its gangly arms. I carefully planted jasmine polyanthum, unaware that the morning glory was lurking nearby. My property is also surrounded by an unnamed relative of the blackberry with no redeeming features other than the fact that it does not have thorns, just thick dull green branches, unremarkable white flowers, and a very stubborn streak.

As though that wasn't enough, I had to go fall in love with a hot pink passiflora. I carefully planted it on the far opposite end of my property. But the vines found each other, like wrestlers in a ring, and in the thick of spring and summer they are a twist of competing colors, beautiful, imposing, and completely out of control.

Wisteria is one of those romantic, elegant vines that people look at and say, "Ahhhh," imagining themselves under a veil of soft purple blooms, a little drink in hand, the picture of summer. Here's the hard truth. Wisteria is a weed, and a dangerous one at that. Keep it away from all structures that you care about. It will wind its ropey arms into beams and joists; it will feed on insulation and spit out wiring. Wisteria is meant to be planted on free-standing trellises, around gazebos maybe, but nowhere near any structure you would call home.

Clematis is a relatively tame vine, as vines go, and comes in a fanciful array of patterns and colors as though painted by a whimsical artist. It dies back in winter but comes back vigorously the following spring. Clematis will lose in competition with the hardier vines. Alone, it makes an interesting, delicate backdrop. Read the label. You probably only need one.

Bougainvillea seems to be everyone's favorite the shock of deep reds and purples beats any other vine for dramatic color. Don't plant bougainvillea near annuals or vegetables where you will need to poke your hands in and around the area. You can't see their thorns easily, but they will announce themselves, sharp and clear.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) smells like heaven. I know that's a cliché, but if you smell honeysuckle, you'll agree. Plant it near a window or door so that the scent can find its way into your house.

An easy way to cover a wall is with any variety in the solanum family (potato vine, S. jasminoides, is the most common). They are easy to grow, relatively noninvasive, and bloom delicate blue or white flowers almost continuously. Not as sexy as trumpet vines, but they won't eat your fence either.

I planted a rare vine, Fo Ti. I got it from a Chinese herbalist who told me it promises long life. Long life for the plant, that is. The innocent 2" cutting has spent the last 15 years trying to obliterate most of the back beds, growing through bricks, strangling the lawn chairs, thebarbeque, and upsetting my back-fence neighbor, who has to continually yank it off the necks of his lovely pussy willows. The good news is that it is soft, thin-branched, and very easy to extricate. The bad news is, I will never, ever, get rid of it.

Happy planting!

Garden Clubs

I recently have received several e-mails inquiring about garden clubs in the Laurel and adjoining neighborhoods. If you are interested in joining or starting a garden club, e-mail Imperfectgardens\@comcast.net, and the information will be passed along. Garden clubs are a great way to exchange ideas, successes, and plants with your gardening neighbors.

Also, Metro readers Phyllis.depriest\@att.net and ktorgers\@pacbell.net are offering a variety of cactus cuttings for anyone interested in succulent gardening.