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
Click the name of the vine for more information about the seeds.
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'
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.
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