Vines are most often seen in gardens here in the following scenario: small vine on a small trellis. Although often quite lovely, this is by far not the only way to use these very handy plants.
One reason vines are so useful is their growth rate. Vines can reach heights and widths in a matter of months compared to the years it would take a tree or shrub to do the same. Vines can range in size from small, 5 - 8 feet, up to very large, 30 - 50 feet. Their uses vary along with their sizes, climbing methods and their foliage and blooms.
Vines have many different ways of climbing, including twining, tendrils, and aerial rootlets. Additionally, there are climbing plants which have none of these, but due to their long branches, can wind their way up through other plants, or with some assistance can go wherever you would like them to.
Twining vines wrap their stems around nearby supports as they grow. Depending on the species, a vine will twine in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. If wound onto a support in the wrong direction, a twining vine will unwind itself. Twining vines can be grown up any sort of pole, post or into shrubs or trees. Wisteria, Jasmine, Honeysuckle and Mandevillea are all twining vines.
Tendrils are another method used by some vines. These are modified leaves or stems that reach out to curl around supports. Grapes, Passionflower and Sweet Peas all use tendrils to climb. Tendril vines need something in their support that is narrow enough to wrap their tendrils around.
Aerial rootlets produce a sticky cement that adheres their vines to support. The bond they create can be very strong. This allows them to attach to almost anything - walls, fences, buildings - which can be useful. This bond can also be strong enough to damage paint and mortar when the vines are removed, so care should be taken in choosing where to plant them. English Ivy, Irish Ivy and Climbing Hydrangea are good examples of vines with aerial rootlets.
Some vine's tendrils have small suction cups or adhesive pads at the ends to assist in attachment. Boston Ivy and Grape Ivy have these types of tendrils. In choosing where to plant these, use the same care as with vines having aerial rootlets.
Ramblers, scramblers or climbing plants, which have non of the above methods of securing themselves to supports, will need to be grown through other plants or loosely secured to some sort of support. Bougainvillea and climbing roses are of this type.
Vine come in evergreen and deciduous. If you are trying to cover something with the vine, create year-round shade or use it in place of shrubs, evergreen would be best. For purpose of saving on heating and cooling needs or shade in the warm months only, a deciduous vine is recommended.
Vines can be found blooming in all colors. Foliage tends to be in the green shades, but can range from very dark to bright golden green and variegated forms are often available. The foliage of a few deciduous vines turns quite red in the autumn, and there are some odd vines with interesting colors (i.e. the pink, white and green combination on some Kiwi vines).
Vertical Gardening & Interest
As said, vines can grow up tall much faster than most trees or shrubs. Growing one onto an attractive support adds some visual interest as well.
Greenery on Fences in Small Yards
Vines are absolutely wonderful for small spaces. Grow an evergreen vine onto fences, and you have a green background using only 6 inches of space, as opposed to the 3 or 4 feet that a hedge would use. Choose vines that will mature at 2 or 3 feet taller than your fence.
Cover Unsightly Trees or Structures
Have a garden shed that's useful but unsightly? Cover it in a blooming evergreen vine or climbing plant. Or possibly a healthy, but less than attractive, tree you'd like to have removed? Send a beautiful vine up into it for months of flowering at a whole new level.
Add to the Bloom Time of Trees or Shrubs
Most plants only bloom for a few weeks or months each year. Pair vines of about the same height, but completely different bloom time, with flowering trees or shrubs to double the flowers in the same space.
Provide Shade
Vines are excellent for providing quick shade. Add a pergola or an arbor with a vine, and in a season or two you will have a lovely shady spot. Use evergreen for year-round shade, or deciduous for warm months only.
Vines can be grown through shrubs or trees, onto buildings, porches, pergolas, fences, attached and freestanding trellis, and some will even just wander out along the ground if no support is found.
| • | The larger the vine, the stronger the support needed. Larger vines have been known to take down smaller structures in their maturity. | |
| • | Metal supports should be avoided in hot areas so as not to burn the vine. | |
| • | For deciduous vines, remember that the support will be visible part of the year, and so should go well with your house and garden. | |
| • | Twining vines can be supported by anything they can safely wrap themselves around (i.e. bamboo poles, posts, shrubs or trees). | |
| • | When training a large vine into a tree, use some type of temporary spacer between the vine and the trunk. This can be removed after the first few years, and will keep the vine from strangling the tree. | |
| • | Vines with tendrils need something in their support that is narrow enough to wrap their tendrils around. One inch lattice slats would be too wide for most. | |
| • | Vines with aerial roots should not be grown on wood houses. They may be grown on unfinished brick or stone, as long as they are intended to be permanent. Keep them trimmed away from doors and windows, to avoid them coming inside and damaging the structure as they do so. Fences are generally a safe support for these vines. | |
| • | Climbing plants should be loosely tied to their supporting structure. |
