Plant Profiles: Native Vines & Climbers
On our May/June trip to several countries in Central Europe we took advantage of the frequent opportunities to dine outdoors. Invariably there were lots of flowers and lots of vines, especially rambling roses in glorious and fragrant bloom, enhancing the dining experience.
Once I had to ask about a vine that I failed to recognize. It was Kiwi. The waiter knew!
Vines, a lot of different ones, are also a memory of my numerous trips to countries south of our border. Many a colonial inn court yard was a veritable botanic garden. What traveler does not remember Bougainvilleas in their many colors? We here in the middle of the ‘good ole USA’ are not exactly the tropics. While not blessed with such diversity we do use some vines, climbers, ramblers, lianas or whatever we chose to call them, however far less so then the Europeans. Why? Perhaps it is lack of knowledge, or our need to control the world at our feet. We trim all sorts of plants into the same blobs; we ‘ mow, blow and go’ as it has been said somewhat uncharitably.
In spite of that gardening has come a long way. We certainly do use much more variety, more flowering material than in the recent past. Why not also vines, many of which bloom profusely. They could enhance garden sheds, gazebos and other structures. Retaining and patio walls and enclosures are popular today, but usually made of faux stone. These raw looking surfaces could often benefit from the softening effects of vine plants. Did I mention fences? Picture a chain link fence covered by a dense vine. I not only hides it but makes for desirable privacy without taking up much space. That can be far more economical than a hedge, both in cost and maintenance.
So what species to use? Native ones, of course. Let me begin with one still in glorious bloom, our Trumpet Creeper [Campsis radicans]. On my travels I once saw an old farm windmill tower completely covered in hot red-orange trumpets. I wish I had a photo of that. Also years ago, going south on I-55, the highway fence at the Sikeston, Missouri turn-off was covered in a saturated yellow color form. I wanted to dig a start so badly, but was going in the wrong direction.
A relative that blooms already in April is Cross Vine [Bignonia capreolata]. Its trumpet shaped flowers are more subdued shades of yellow and ruddy orange. I saw it used to great advantage on an arbor in the Phoenix Botanic Garden. This southern Illinois native is semi evergreen in my garden. Let me make a plug here for visiting botanic gardens. What great resources and ideas for plant selection and use in the home landscape awaits the visitor to these institutions.
Another spring bloomer is Wisteria [W. frutescens]. Its blue pendant clusters of pea-like blooms have long been cherished in its Asiatic relatives. Our local native has much shorter clusters, but flowers far more reliably. The 2 photos show local variations. As with so many other native plant species, we have long neglected to select for improved gardening attributes; just my opinion.
Little can compare to the flamboyant blooms of certain Clematis. Less used but also nice are the fall blooming species. Sweet Autumn Clematis [C. virginiana] pleases with a profusion of white bloom, fine fragrance and with its feathery seed heads into winter.
Also noted for its late season display is the abundant and colorful fruit of Bittersweet [Celastrus scandens]. In the past it was badly mixed up in the nursery trade with the similar but wildly aggressive Chinese species; neither could you be sure of getting the female plant. Another common name is very apt for both of them, ‘Tree Choker’. Many an attractive walking stick bears witness to what they do to woody stems.
Virginia Creeper [Parthenocissus quinquefolia] is well known for its reliable fall color and always a delight on fall drives to the Illinois River valley. It covered one of our gables on the family farm back in the old country. On my first fall here on a nursery farm in Missouri they festooned old trees in brilliant red; still a fine memory. Grapes are close relatives. See photo of an historic grape arbor with massive trunks here in Litchfield. We have many species in Illinois, but the well fruited ‘Concord’ selection of this arbor is from our north east.
Not so well known is Pipe Vine [Aristolochia tomentosa]. Its close relative to our east has long been popular overseas as a cover for a shady seating nook or gazebo. That is how I remember it. The roundish leaves stack like shingles, making very reliable shade. The flowers are tiny but unique. Green, globular pods are a n additional curiosity in the fall. Why is not equally popular here, with our much longer and hotter summers? Or more popular, for it is also a food plant for Pipe-vine Swallowtail. This is another shining example for using native plants as only they nourish our intricate web of life.
Rambling roses – what would England be without its abundance of these? It would be nice if we could duplicate that. That would also mean a chilly, damp and often cloudy weather. Better leave well enough alone. I do believe that our native Prairie Rose [Rosa setigera] has some real potential here. It displays an abundance of typical pink flowers on its long canes. They are followed by colorful red rose hips and finally a reliable display of fall foliage in orange shades. It is also hardy and has no leaf spot problems. Of course, there is no rose without thorns.
The above are all woody species. Each species has many other notable attributes. Only a few are mentioned here. There are also many more species for our gardening palette. Among the herbaceous species I will mention only Passion Flower [Passiflora incarnata] with its unique sky-blue blooms. The local Passiflora lutea might make a good container item. The blooms are small cream colored and delicate but the leaves have interesting shapes and variable patterns as you will note in the 2 photos.
We do not lack for choices. Lets plant some vines. A brief word of caution though. Both in Europe and the countries to our south, most vines are contained by planters or extensive pavement, whether patio or plaza. These countries all utilize far more hard surfaces, as compared with our obsession with turf. That has a bearing on maintenance, as many of the above species need serious containment. Some will root at every node if given a chance and often produce an abundance of root suckers as well. A mower will provide adequate control along a fence or on a solitary tree. Be careful about using most vines in mixed borders. You may not be able to contain them. As I said before, no rose without thorns.
Have some fun; be adventurous.