Are you thinking about adding some vines to your landscaping? Consider carefully before you jump in, understanding that not all vines are the same. Some provide excellent groundcover while others are better suited for climbing a wall or trellis. There are vines that stay green in the winter, vines that produce ornamental berries or flowers, and vines that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. What kind of vine is appropriate for your property? Once you decide, here are some tips for growing whichever vines you choose.
If you’re looking for a vine to use as ground cover, choose something low-maintenance with thick foliage. A good example of this is Asian jasmine, which grows well in sun to part shade, producing fragrant blossoms and quickly covering about 25 square feet of ground. When it comes to climbing vines, there are four categories.
- Twining vines produce new growth that twists and spirals as it grows. Twisting around themselves and other plants, these vines need guidance and something on which to grow. Wisteria, jasmine, and honeysuckle are examples of twining vines.
- Tendrils are vines with specialized growths to reach out and grab something. Grapes are a common type of tendril vine.
- Clinging vines don’t need a trellis to climb a wall. They have “sucker discs” that allow them to latch onto small crevices and irregularities on flat surfaces. Trumpet vines and creeping fig are clinging vines.
- Some vines have to be tied. These vines have no way of supporting themselves and must be tied to a trellis. Climbing roses fall into this category.
Vines need to be pruned and trained to stay where they’re supposed to be. However, old vines can be occasionally renovated by thinning out old or dead growth to promote the growth of new vines. Some vines, like wisteria, can be pruned into a permanent framework by forming a trunk up to the height desired and covering the area with horizontal branches. Pruning the vine back every year will maintain the basic size of the framework.
When you’re planting any kind of vine, choose a pest-free plant with healthy foliage. If you’re buying container vines, check to make sure the soil hasn’t dried out and the roots are not compacted. Vines prefer good soil, so you may need to add organic amendments if your soil is sandy. Plant your vine in a hole twice the width of the plant’s roots and a little bit shallower than the roots, about a foot away from the support structure. To allow the roots to grow downward and prevent soil from settling, bow the sides of the hold outward at the bottom, digging deeper around the edges. In the center of the hole, shape the soil into a rounded cone to provide a base for your vine. Water it well to help it get established.
Fertilize your vines regularly. When you plant a vine, fertilize it to help it get established. After that, vines should be fertilized early in the growing season and again later in the year if they’re not performing as they should. Six weeks before the expected frost, stop fertilizing. Super Charged Moon Juice is a good fertilizer to boost growth at any stage of development, and Moon Dust helps plants thrive and be more vibrant.
It’s important to train your vines and keep them in check. If the plant is dormant, prune any branches that are dead, weak, or diseased. If your vines are prone to tangling should be periodically thinned. Any stems wrapping around existing growth should be cut back or detached and redirected. Clinging vines should be cut back as soon as they start to go off the intended path, because they can grow over just about anything, including doors and windows. Get expert advice to determine how best to train your particular vines.
For beautiful vines and expert advice, head to Moon Valley Nurseries. Moon Valley Nurseries started as a small neighborhood nursery, and now has locations all across the West. We deliver and plant anything in our massive inventory, and because we grow our plants ourselves, we can give our customers the lowest prices in town, guaranteed. Whether you need a tree or two or an entire landscape, our friendly staff members will go the extra mile to make you happy. Contact us through our website, call us at (602) 388-1529, or stop by to check out all we have to offer, from the best trees and plants to professional crews and planters to certified designers ready to make your yard the best in the neighborhood.
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