Those Divine Vines

Barb Lindholm

Dekalb County Master Gardener

Vines offer us many plant choices. Come explore with me the fascinating world of vertical garden design. Whether you are looking for something different for your garden or perhaps working in a small space, vines can be just the thing that you need.

In addition to vertical accent, vines offer unique flowers and interesting foliage and bark. Vines can be used in combination to produce both an early and a late season bloom period.

Let's begin with some basic vine information. All vines achieve their ability to climb through the use of tendrils, aerial roots or twiners and all will need a support structure of some type. Twiners, such as black-eyed Susan vine, prefer growing on lattice while aerial root plants such as Boston or English ivy, like to grow on a brick surface. Sweet peas, which are tendril type vines, do best on netting or small weave lattice.

Annual vines have much to offer. They grow quickly and produce profuseblossoms for both early and late season bloom. Examples of annual vines include sweetness, black-eyed Susans, morning glories, cypress and hyacinth bean vines. Here is some more good news about annual vines. Passion vine and moonflowers are great butterfly and moth attractants.

Perennial vines will return year after year with beautiful displays of flowers and interesting foliage. Examples of vines grown for their foliage include bittersweet and Boston and English ivy. Flowering vines such as honeysuckle, wisteria, clematis, porcelain vine and silverlace vine provide seasonal color and often provide fragrance as well. To draw hummingbirds to your garden, try a trumpet vine.

Considered by many to be the queen of vine type plants, clematis will be the featured plant for this article. Clematis is a beautiful addition to any garden setting, but it is often not used because it is perceived as being difficult to grow. Hopefully, the following information will encourage you to try clematis in your garden.

Here are a few tips for successfully growing clematis. Clematis prefers a neutral 7.0-7.5 soil. This plant is somewhat unique in that it needs sun for the flowering process but must have cool soil for proper root growth. Planting another perennial in front of the vine is recommended to shade the roots. It possible, purchase two or three year old established plants that are well branched. This will get your plant off to a strong start.

To plant your clematis follow these few steps. Dig a hole that is about eighteen inches wide and deep. Mix your soil with an equal part of compost or rotted manure. Place the vine in the hole with two sets of buds below ground level. This allows the plant to regrow from below the surface in the event of a freeze. Support for the vine should be installed at this time. Clematis will grow on lattice, arbors, obelisks, trellises or any other sturdy support. Refill the hole with the soil mixture.

The biggest mystery surrounding clematis is figuring out how to prune them. Basically, clematis grow either on old wood or produces new growth each year. Unless the tag on your clematis explains its pruning procedure, observe your plant the first year to determine if it is growing on old wood or new growth.

Once you determine your clematis type, follow these pruning procedures. Clematis growing on old wood should only be pruned cosmetically. Remove broken or dead branches and weak stems and thin slightly if needed after flowering. Clematis growing from new growth can be pruned back six to twelve inches above ground level in late winter or early spring before bud break. Always prune both types just above two strong buds.

Clematis is a sophisticated, beautiful vine that will give you years of enjoyment. It is very versatile offering a variety of colors, sizes and seasonal interest. In the summer, the larger-flowered cultivars such as the popular purple, red and white jackmanii hybrids and the pink Nelly Moser are easy to find in the local nurseries. Sweet autumn clematis produces profuse, white scented flowers in the fall. Beware! Clematis flowering vines can be addictive. I thought that I would try one, and I now have nine beautiful plants blooming throughout the gardening season.

Vines of all types add stunning flowers, foliage, seasonal interest and that important and unique vertical dimension to your garden. Gardens don't have to all horizontal anymore. Reach for the sky! Try vines.

If you gave any questions or comments about this article, home gardening or about the Master Gardener program, call the Master Gardeners c/o University of Illinois Extension, DeKalb County office at (815) 758-8194 or e-mail dekalb_mg@extension.uiuc.edu.