O.K. It might seem weird but,I'm thinking about raising posts along the fence line and making a wire mesh trellace like structure about 8' high and growing vines as a privacy fence. Has anyone done this or have any ideas on what to use? ( Wire mesh and thick , blanketing vines that won't kudzu all over the place)
Thanks!
Barry
Vine fence
Wire screens are a great idea for climbing plants that have tendrils, I'm not sure about the 'suckering pad' plants though such as Euonymous but they do make a lovely evergreen screen. Then there is pyracantha which you could espalier and has the added bonuses of being evergreen, flowers in the spring and then berries in fall/winter. You could then use the pyracantha as host to a clematis maybe.
Just realized which state you were from. How about Ceanothus, Fremontodendron, Solanum - all could be trained along the fence.
This message was edited Saturday, Jun 30th 10:14 PM
Thanks, Louisa,
I'll do a websearch to find out more about those plants.(I'm the not so well read plant lover)I'm kinda thinking about something like goat wire so that the vines can get a good covering on all sides. Idealy, I won't be able to see any of the support structure when it's done.
I already have Passion Flowers and old growth Honeysuckle that pretty much cover my 4' chain link. I don't know how high they will go , if given the oportunity.
If you have the native Texas honeysuckle then it will scale eight feet easily. My mom's native honeysuckle never went on a rampage like the Japanese version does and provided us with a nice "privacy" fence without taking over the yard.
Hi Amari,
When we bought this house three years ago, the Honeysuckle was about three feet thick on all the chain link fence and I spent a lot of time killing it off , since it's everywhere in Texas and I was tired of seeing it. Luckily, it proved more tenacious than I thought and has regained it's former glory just in time for me to begin to appreciate it. If it will grow to the hights you say I'm probably just going to help it along some. I planted several offspring of a friends Purple Passion Flower that I really like in the hopes that it would overtake the Honeysuckle but they seem to co-exist pretty well. I would like some Wisteria and some kind of evergreen too if that will work.
Thanks!
Barry
Clematis Armandii is evergreen and vigorous!
Thanks Louisa!
I websearched Clematis Armandii and it looks great. Climbs to 20' and flowers!
You are most welcome - are you going to plant the Armandii then?
Hi Louisa
Probably. I've been checking prices on the web and they vary a lot. (From $6 to $20 per gallon container) I still need to figure out the logistics of the structure . I don't want it to sag dramatically from the weight of the plants but I also don't want it to look too square and unnatural.It's going to be three walls about 50' across the back and perhaps 40' on each of the sides.
You can always soften the lines of the 'square' look by planting in front, sides and back of the structure and don't forget to incorporate another climber to break the monotony - a climbing rose maybe!
Thanks!
I was thinking of using the Honeysuckle for the most part, since it's already got such a strong foothold and the Passionflower I've started and the Clematis Armandii and perhaps add some others. I'm not familiar with climbing rose but it sounds intriguing. I'll check it out.
Another quick growing plant that can be trained along like you mention is the potato vine in white or purple flowers. I'll try to get a picture of a "fence" sown the road from me that they made of posts, wire and potato vine. It looks like a fence of lace!
Zanymuse - I have hunted high and low for the potato vine - Solanum (Glasnevin). Does it grow readily from seed or would it be best to layer it? I'm hinting here of course and wondered if perhaps we could do an exchange. I'm zone 7 and I would think on the borderline of hardiness for this vine. I grew it back home (England) and just loved it - so vigorous - so beautiful. In no time at all it had the appearance of a tree with it's thick branches. By the way Barrykooda, have you thought of the Akebia quinnata (evergreen in your area) with tiny flowers smelling like chocolate and vigorous - a gorgeous climber!
Cool!
I'll check it out!
Thanks, Zanymuse!
I'm still looking.(Solanum jasminoides )It looks like they come in blue or white flowering varieties but the seeds for sale I can find are in Australia.
This message was edited Monday, Jul 2nd 10:00 AM
Hi Louisa,
I'm open to anything!
I'll check it out.
BarryKooda,
I have 16 rows of Vine Fencing
I used regular field fence
5 feet high, I used metal stakes
7 feet high the rows are 40 feet long.
I have 3 water tower sprinklers to
cover the area for watering..
Carol
What types of vine are you growing, Carol?
Louisa, do you have any suggestions for starting akebia? my seeds are being finicky.
I too have "vine fencing", which holds honeysuckle, star jasmine, trumpet vine, and perennial morning glories. When they start growing into each other, I cut them back and start new ones down the fence. But its all chain link, around the entire perimeter of my backyard. Ive got a ways to go!! Had wisteria there, but I had to move it... it was way too strong and invasive for that fencing!
I have something called sweet cinnamon vine... seeds look like miniature potatoes!? Received in trade... this will be adventuresome!Cant wait to see what it produces!
nicole I'm not so sure about growing the Akebia from seed. Here is a link that I find absolutely wonderful and I think that barrykooda will also find it invaluable.
http://www.canr.uconn.edu/plsci/mbrand/a/akequi/akequi1.html
Hey Louisa,
That looks COOL!
I'm in zone 8, though. Think it will go? They say it's good from 4 to 6.
Thanks!
Barry
Why not give it a try. Maybe someone will send you a cutting or a rooted piece. Why not post for it?
O.K. .......
You don't they'll yell at me?
I hear the low zone people can get pretty mean if you cook their plants in the Texas sun!
Barry
Louisa I have not been able to find the seeds on the potato vine but will try a cutting and see if I can get it to root for you. {I have the white flowering one)
Zany that would make my day. Thank you very much. Have you tried the layering method - takes a bit longer but never fails.
PS I have a porcelain vine (still need to look up the Latin) - it's in it's pot still as are most of my plants but if you would like me to do a rooted layer for you I will. Barry - they won't get upset - trust me :-)
This message was edited Sunday, Jul 8th 6:31 PM
Barrykooda,
I have one complete fence line covered with Hyacinth Bean Vine....it's wonderful and the smell is devine!
Jerrie
Thanks, Jerrie!
Got any photos of it?
Barry
eyes - isn't the bean vine an annual?
Louisa I would love a start of the porcilain vine! I have started a cutting and am airlayering another spot on the potato vine so we should get a start for you one way or another!
Just wanted to let ya'all know... on the co-op forum someones collecting orders from D&G... and they have sweet potato vine (black, tricolor, etc.) for $1.10 each!
(If my memory hasnt failed me, their 1 gal containers ??)
Sweet potato vine surely is not the same as the perennial Solanum crispum. This is the one I'm seeking :-
http://www.plantit.freeuk.com/Pics/pic24.htm
Zany - mail me (I'm sure to forget :-)
This message was edited Wednesday, Jul 11th 5:35 PM
Louisa the vine I have is the Solanum jasminoides. I have the white flowering version.
barrykooda, I would be happy to start one for you if you would like?
p.s. I promise not to even blink an eye if it fries in your climate!
This message was edited Friday, Jul 13th 3:09 AM
This message was edited Friday, Jul 13th 3:16 AM
Thanks, Zanymuse!
That would be great!
It's only been about ten days since I added the extra 3' of poultry wire to grow my vines on and the Honeysuckle have already sent runners up a couple feet in some places.
Would the jasminoides be able to compete or should I reserve them a place?
It might compete but I am not sure! Honeysuckle usually wins out!
Thanks Zany - got your email. jasminoides is white but that is OK with me. Maybe I can still search for the blue. Will be in touch :-)
I'll keep my eyes open here for the blue as well! I know it has to be available somewhere locally!
Thanks again. Will be opening new thread on Trees and Shrubs - regarding Choisya Ternata. Needed to ask you something about this.
Yes, Louisa, Hyacinth Bean Vine is considered an annual, but here in North Texas it reseeds itself. My neighbor calls it volunteers. It is very easy to start and it grows so fast. The seed is extremely easy to collect. I love it because of it's fast coverage....no years of waiting.
Thanks eyes and you are lucky to have the bean sprout up each year :-)
Zany, Will you please start me one also. Thanks Jim
Jim what success story can you throw my way re red clay soil - I have the same. Sorry about change of thread folks :-) But we are still talking climbers - isn't that so Jim...lol!