Almost any garden can benefit from the careful use of annual or perennial vines enlarging the planting areas vertically up to the sky. The pleasures of seeing your garden reach 'new heights' are easily achieved lasting into November and December. On a hot summer day there is nothing better than stepping under a vine canopy where you will find the air temperature sometimes 10F cooler than the surrounding garden; a perfect place for reading or sleeping.
If you have the sort of garden where you can plant permanent plants, a long list of perennial vines awaits your consideration.
Common Hops, Humulus lupulus: This is a rampageous climber who's fragrant green/ brown seed heads have been used since ancient times to flavor beer and wine. The variety 'Aureus' is not quite so vigorous as some and has clear yellow-green decorative leaves easily twining up any wire or stick.
Kiwi Vine, Actinidia kolomikta: You must have male and female plants to obtain the delicious fruit of this plant which can be grown in our climate in partial shade on a deck or porch. After a few years the male vine gets pink white green coloring to the leaves, which are very attractive. The female fruit is an edible, sweet greenish yellow 1" long berry that ripens in September. Can grow 15-20' tall.
Sweet Autumn Clematis, C. paniculata: One example of this is enough for any garden and you will enjoy this plant the rest of your life. It will climb over everything in the garden if you let it. Some people allow it to clamber up trees for the late summer white blooms, which are lightly fragrant. Cardinals will eat the seed heads in late winter when food is scarce.
Fiveleaf Akebia, Akebia quinata: This is easily grown in midwestern gardens and has unusual flowers. Black-purple hanging clusters appear with the leaves in March or April and are fleshy and fragrant. Beautiful upon close inspection they are not generally noticed from afar. The plant is grown for its 3-5-leaflet foliage, which is tinged with a bit of purple changing to a dark green lasting into winter. Fast to establish and can withstand drought or moisture, sun or shade.
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Annual vines are usually planted in flats in a sunny window for an early start. Some must be directly sown in the ground as noted below.
Morning Glory 'Flying Saucers': Ipomoea purpurea: The blue type of morning glories are suggested for most gardens because they don't reseed much the next year and make a mess as do other varieties. They thrive in full sun in well-drained soil. Summer to fall blooms open mostly in the morning, having truly blue flowers and shiny bright green leaves. Put several plants together for a large display.
Birdhouse Gourds, Cucurbitia species: As soon as the weather is warm, seeds should be sown where they are to be grown in a light rich soil. They do not transplant well. These vines get huge in one season and may have to be pruned during the summer. The white flowers are lovely and the gooseneck shaped fruit looks great hanging through an arbor or pergola. Pick when the vines start to go brown in the fall and hang for drying. You can make rattles or birdhouses of them when dry.
Purple Podded Pole Bean, Phaseolus vulgaris: Beans as a group present one of the largest of the world's vegetable crops; their culture is extensive and widespread. Sow seeds outside after the danger of frost has past and the soil/air temperatures are warm. This variety has large light purple flowers and fruit, very decorative from afar. The pods are edible when young and you can dry the seeds as food and for planting next year. Pole beans will need support.
New Zealand Spinach, Tetragonia expansa: A vining vegetable which is grown for the edible tips of the shoots, an excellent dish for the summer months when regular spinach won't grow due to the heat. The seeds germinate erratically so you might want to pour hot water over them 24 hours before sowing. Plant in full sun in rich soil when the weather is warm. Unlike the above plants, this one grows only 3-4' tall and must be given support. Cut back the tips even if you are not going to eat them as this will cause attractive side branching of glossy red-green foliage.
Late summer is the prime time for observing vines and a good time to consider what you might want to plant next year. Always consider the ultimate height and weight of the plants. Some woody vines can become quite heavy and pull down a weak structure. Gardeners with small yards may want to select the less aggressive vines such as the Clematis varieties suited to a vertical space.
M.S. Thompson is a Horticulturist and Landscape Contractor in Chicago and can be contacted at: ( 773 ) 489-2892 or mst@urbanparadise.com .
