August 2009
Versatile Vines: Adaptable and Space-saving Plants
The Leonard J. Buck Garden, Far Hills, NJ
Vines serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. Yet vine plants are one of the hardest elements to incorporate into the garden and, therefore, overlooked. Vines are more versatile than most plants; they climb vertically to the heavens or horizontally under our feet. Vines can be trained over doorways and fences or simply left to dangle from hanging pots.
Here are five stunning vines growing in the Leonard J. Buck Garden you may want to consider for your own garden.
All wisterias are stunning bloomers bearing large drooping clusters of fragrant bluish-purple, lavender, mauve or white flowers in late spring to early summer. Most gardeners are familiar with
Wisteria sinensis, Chinese wisteria and
Wisteria floribunda, Japanese wisteria and their potential for invasiveness. If you are growing Chinese or Japanese wisteria you have to keep a close eye on their growth habit and be ruthless with your pruning.
The American wisteria,
Wisteria frutescens, is native to southeastern United States and is less invasive. This cultivar produces beautiful, fragrant, lavender-blue flowers in early summer and sometimes blooms again in September. The dark green compound leaves turn golden yellow in autumn. American wisteria can wind its way to at least 20 – 30 feet. Supports must be sturdy because the mature vines are considerably heavy.
W. frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’ enjoys moist soil and tolerates some shade, but the best blooms grow in full sun. American wisteria is a host plant for several species of butterflies, including the long-tailed skipper. This native vine adorns our lower pond bridge.
Climbing hydrangea vines are large plants, sometimes reaching 50 feet tall or more and when in bloom they are a spectacular sight. Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris, climbing hydrangea, is a deciduous vine that clings to surfaces with adventitious roots known as "holdfasts."
In early summer, for two weeks or longer, climbing hydrangea produce fragrant, lacy, flat-topped, white flower heads. These "lace caps" can be 6 inches or more in width and are composed of showy, sterile, flowers on the outside and less-than-showy, fertile flowers on the inside. Its glossy, dark green leaves turn a magnificent bright yellow in the fall and the dried flower head and exfoliating bark afford winter interest.
Climbing hydrangea is one of the few hardy flowering vines that tolerates shade. In fact, in hot climates they prefer partial shade. Elsewhere, they do as well in more sunny areas. Soil should be moist, well-drained, and contain plenty of humus. Climbing hydrangea is an extremely slow starter, but quite vigorous after roots are established. H. anomala ssp. petiolaris can be seen climbing on a variety of trees in the garden.
A cousin to
H. anomala ssp. petiolaris, Schizophragma hydrangeoides, Japanese hydrangea vine, is another deciduous woody-stemmed climbing vine with creamy-white inflorescences that look similar to climbing hydrangea. The vine stays flat and does not develop the protruding woody framework of
H. anomala ssp. petiolaris. S. hydrangeoides produces showy masses of fertile flowers in early summer. Each inflorescence can grow to 6-8 inches across, slightly larger than its cousin. Its foliage is broadly ovate with a heart-shaped base.
S. hydrangeoides ‘Moonlight’ is valued for its silvery blue-green, heart-shaped leaves and its lace cap hydrangea-like clusters of creamy white flowers. The foliage turns yellow in fall and the reddish-brown stems provide some winter interest. ‘Moonlight’ grows 20–30 feet or more with a 6-9 foot spread. It grows best in rich, well-drained soil in part to full shade and has no serious insect or disease problems. Look for it climbing on a native hemlock tree in our Fern Garden.
Decumaria barbara, woodvamp, is a member of the Hydrangea family bearing solely fertile flowers. This southeastern United States native can mature into a high-climbing vine or a rambling groundcover. Ascending by self-clinging, aerial roots, the 3-5 inch long, glossy, dark, deciduous, leaves are smooth and oval. In June, creamy white, sweetly fragrant flowers grow in 2-4” high and wide terminal round clusters. The flowers are held 1-2 feet from the climbing surface.
Woodvamp usually grows 10-20 feet high, but vines of 30 and 40 feet in trees have been reported. It likes moist, acidic, soil in partial to full shade. It tolerates drought but shows signs of displeasure by dropping some of its leaves prematurely. Plant it where you can relish its delectable scent. D. barbara is a good native alternative for chocolate vine (Akebia quinata), winter creeper (Euonymus fortunei), English ivy (Hedera helix) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). It is resistant to diseases and insects. This easy native can be found scrambling up an ash tree near Primrose Swamp.
Clematis viticella ‘Betty Corning’ is a charming, free-flowering, sweetly scented, long blooming clematis. During June-August it is covered with a mass of pale lilac, nodding, bell-shaped flowers. The 2 inch flowers have recurved tips to the petals. A moderately, fast growing cultivar with low soil requirements, ‘Betty Corning’ is excellent for growing over fences, walls, trellises and poles. It also clambers over natural supports such as deciduous and coniferous bushes.
Growing 6-7 feet, ‘Betty Corning’ is happy twinning through the multi-stemmed
Viburnum burkwoodii, near the Buck Garden Visitor Center. It needs its roots shaded and its flowers in the sun. This vine blooms later and from new growth. Prune in February or March as new leaf buds begin to show low on the plant. Also remove all dead material above the buds and clean out any old or mildewed foliage at this time. It attracts butterflies and is rabbit resistant.
All the above are lovely vines and make excellent choices for trees and shrubs, brick and stone buildings, mailboxes, lampposts or as shading on an arbor or trellis to cool a patio or deck. They offer a variety of ornamental characteristics including seasonal flower color, bright berries and autumn color.
Don’t overlook this underestimated landscaping resource. For vine adventure visit the Leonard J. Buck Garden and see how these vines can enhance the garden.
- Tricia Scibilia, interpretive gardener
* All photos by Tricia Scibilia unless otherwise noted
Leonard J. Buck Garden, Somerset County Park System:
www.somersetcountyparks.org/
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