The
Magic Of Annual Vines
by
Jackie Carroll
For
the cost of a packet of seeds, you can quickly create a show stopping
garden accent or a living hideaway for children, hide a rusty chain
link fence or an unsightly garage wall, and turn an ordinary balcony
into a private garden. Started from seeds, annual vines will scramble
to heights of 20 feet or more, highlighting features you want to show
off and covering eyesores.
Here
are just a few of the many uses for annual vines:
Add
a little magic to your garden by planting a trellis or pole with brightly
colored morning glories and moonflowers. You'll have a burst of brightly
colored flowers during the day, and luminescent white blossoms at
night.
Add shade and privacy to your balcony with annual vines. Because their
root systems are limited, they can be grown in large planters on a
trellis, or allowed to trail from window boxes and big hanging baskets.
The vertical growing habit will make a small area seem larger.
Annual vines are ideal for introducing your children to the magic
of gardening. Build a teepee of bamboo or fallen tree branches, and
plant with scarlet runner beans or tall nasturtiums. Your children
will enjoy their colorful (and edible) hideaway while learning about
the wonders of nature.
Plant climbing vines along chain link fences and light poles to soften
the look of your landscape.
Annual vines will quickly blanket a problem slope or other area that
is difficult to mow with colorful flowers. If your slope is difficult
to plant, use a vine that will reseed itself such as morning glories
or cardinal climbers.
Plant vines along a southern wall to keep the house cooler in summer.
Annual vines are easy to grow. They like a sunny location with good
quality, well drained soil. Plant your seeds according to the package
directions, and keep them evenly moist until they germinate. After
germination, you'll only need to water when the weather has been extremely
hot or dry. Use fertilizers sparingly. An abundance of nitrogen will
encourage your vines to produce an abundance of dark green foliage
and few flowers.
Have
your trellises or other support in place when you plant your seeds.
If you can't plant right next to the support, insert twigs into the
soil next to the seeds to lead the vines to their intended support.
If the vine can't find its support right away, it will waste time
searching and reaching for something to grab on to.
Recommended
Annual Vines
Black
Eyed Susan Vine
Unlike many climbing vines, this one isn't invasive so it can be incorporated
into existing gardens without fear of crowding out existing plants.
It's a great choice for hanging baskets and window boxes.
Height: 5' to 10' trailing vine
Cardinal
Climber Vine
The deep red flowers with white or yellow throats are sure to draw
attention to your trellises, fences and poles.
Height: 6' to 20' vine
Cypress
Vine
This vine can add a tropical texture to your landscape with its interesting
foliage and mix of bright red, pink and white flowers. With the right
conditions, it grows to 20 feet.
Height: 8' to 10' vine
Hyacinth
Bean Vine
This striking vine will have your visitors asking if it's real! The
flowers are followed by velvety purple bean pods.
Height: 6' - 20' vine
Mina
Lobata
'Firecracker Vine' or 'Exotic Love,' this unusual, exciting, interesting
annual vine has up to 12 beautiful 2" tubular flowers on each
spike. Performs well on trellises and in hanging baskets.
Height: 6' to 10' vine
Moonflower
Plant this fast-growing vine on a porch, near an entrance, or under
a window where you can enjoy the evening performance and heady fragrance.
The flowers bloom only at night, and unfold in 2-3 minutes, and event
worth waiting for!
Height: 10' to 20' vine
Morning
Glories
In the summer, flowers open in the morning, and in the fall they stay
open all day. Morning glories are grown as a groundcover in difficult
areas.
Height: 8' - 10' vine
Sweet
Peas
Sweet peas are shorter than most of the other annual vines mentioned
here, but their outstanding fragrance make them worthwhile when height
isn't important. They make a wonderful cut flower.
Height: 3' to 5' vine
About
the Author:
Jackie Carroll is the editor of GardenGuides.com, a leading internet
destination for gardening information and ideas. For hundreds of gardening
articles and expert gardening advice visit:
http://www.gardenguides.com
Come see what's on sale at GardenGuides Shops:
http://store.yahoo.com/gardenguides-store/
Jackie Carroll
GardenGuides
http://www.gardenguides.com
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