partners in twine: vines happily climbing shrubs
PERENNIAL VINES SEEM TO JUMP OUT OF BED when spring arrives, look once around, then quickly grab onto the closest neighbor–thorny or not–for support, as if they know they’ll soon be too tall to stand up straight on their own. What’s a few scratches, compared to falling flat on your face?
One of the vigorous young Clematis I bought last year from Brushwood Nursery at the nearby Trade Secrets annual plant sale shot up about a foot this week and headed straight for a Rosa rugosa, thorns and all, above. Hey, baby, how about a hand?
It’s a great time of year to add more vines alongside more shrubs…or so I’m thinking over here. Read about training vines up shrubs for an extra season of impact from one garden space.
Or browse all my vine stories posted so far.
Margaret try Clematis ‘Huldine’ climbing over a purple leaved Cotinus. By far one of my most successful pairings in my old garden.
I love clematis clambering through shrub or climbing roses. I also give them a hand into crapemyrtles with some chicken wire. You can paint it green if you want, but rusty also hides well.~~Dee
I am an unrepentant Clematis junkie; my husband says I have never seen a shrub or small tree that didn’t need a Clematis. I am happy to see these postings, and now I have some new ideas. I am still lamenting the closing of Chalk Hill Nurseries, although Brushwood is helping me get over this.
Some of my favorites:
In shade up the holly by my kitchen window – Betty Corning is terrific all summer long, and is fragrant.
Early spring – alpina Helsingborg through very light green foliage
In mid summer – vitacella Etoile Violette or Madame Julia Correvon blooming through Limelight Hydrangea.
Saddest story: Guernsey Cream. I have killed it three times now.
Welcome, Patti. Glad to hear I am not alone…waiting for big local plant sale in two weeks to stock up on more climbers, too. Yes, Brushwood is a big help in the Chalk Hill loss, you are correct there. I am going off to look up Guernsey Cream…something I haven’t yet killed! :) See you soon, I hope.