JOIN NOW LOG IN
iVillage GardenWeb iVillage GardenWeb THE INTERNET'S GARDEN & HOME COMMUNITY ADVERTISEMENT
Blogs Forums Photo Galleries Ask The Experts Tools & Directories        
Return to the Virginia Gardening Forum | Post a Follow-Up

 o
Flowering Climbing vine in a shady area.

Posted by cgpcgp Va (My Page) on
Mon, Apr 2, 07 at 14:08

I have a picket fence with an arbor over it on the north side of my house. The area is shaded by the house and by a fairly large Japanese maple. I'd say it's in 50-70% shade.

Any suggestions on what would grow there?


Follow-Up Postings:

 o
RE: Flowering Climbing vine in a shady area.

Hmmm... the most reliable vine would be a grape. Not the fancy seedless (unless you live in an extremely low-humidity area), but Concord and Red Suffolk are both pretty tolerant of heavy shade. The negative to grapes is that you'll have to prune every year; the positive part is that they are edible (and homemade grape jelly is easy to do and tastes a thousand times better than storebought).

Some clematis are more shade-tolerant than others, but they really don't do their best in that much shade, although autumn clematis does fairly well.

Wisteria will not only survive, it can take over the place. It also requires a super-sturdy structure, having extremely heavy vines. It will also require regular pruning, both for control and to encourage blooming.

Some climbing roses are quite tolerant, but mostly in that they will climb so as to get into the sun. Check with the Rose Forum for recommendations for your area.

If you want to try an annual, gourds (if started in a warm pot inside and then transplanted) will do surprisingly well in shade. Morning Glories such as Grampa Ott's and Heavenly Blue can handle about 50% shade.


 o
RE: Flowering Climbing vine in a shady area.

  • Posted by zebz 7-8 (My Page) on
    Fri, Apr 6, 07 at 13:02

Sorry if this shows up more than once. I've tried a few times to submit, but it doesn't end up being posted. Anyway --

I've always wanted to have a grape arbor, but because of yellow jackets have never mustered the courage to grow one. How do you avoid that possible peril? Quick harvesting doesn't really seem to be the answer.


 
 

 

 


Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.



iVillage GardenWeb: The Internet's Garden & Home Community  
  iVillage Home & Garden Network