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:
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
About the Author:
Jackie Carroll is the editor of
GardenGuides.com, a leading internet destination for gardening
information and ideas.
Visit
GardenGuides.com
Visit
GardenGuides Seed Shop
