Umbrella trellis project, Mexican Flame vine

9 years ago

I have wanted to use an old patio umbrella frame as a trellis for a while now and I finally did it. I love how it turned out. The base is filled with sand and buried a foot underground. I then drilled a large hole through the planter so the pole could go through it and into the weighted base. I'd say the planter is about 8 inches below ground. It's a very tall planter. Even with this it did get very top-heavy and start to lean so it tied it up high to the fence. I planted Alamanda also to cover the woody stems when the Mexican flame vine matures. It did the trick, but it hasn't bloomed again. The Alamanda's leaves stay very green and cover the Mexican Flame vine at the base nicely. The Flame vine blooms all year. Such pretty orange-red blooms and the butterflies love it.

This post was edited by halfwaythere on Mon, Sep 15, 14 at 10:37

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halfwaythere
Original Author

9 years ago

April 2014

Comments (15)

halfwaythere
Original Author
9 years ago
April 2014
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halfwaythere
Original Author
9 years ago
July 2014
halfwaythere
Original Author
9 years ago
July 2014 You can see here I added string around for support
halfwaythere
Original Author
9 years ago
August 2014 You can't see it but there is a rope tied from the pole to the fence for support. It's very top-heavy.
halfwaythere
Original Author
9 years ago
August 2014
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
9 years ago
That looks great! Wonderful idea.

I tried the same with green beans, but they got swamped by the pumpkins.
PKponder TX Z7B
9 years ago
That is just beautiful!
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
9 years ago
What a neat idea and great way to recycle!
Ninkasi
9 years ago
This is awesome! Very creative
halfwaythere
Original Author
9 years ago
Well, she buckled. Actually the umbrella poll cracked due to the combination of the weight on top and high winds. This "tree" is a beauty and I got so many compliments on it. I'm cutting it at about 4 ft and am going to replace the support with a wooden one. It took less than a year to achieve this growth. I love this vine.
halfwaythere
Original Author
9 years ago
:( sad
halfwaythere
Original Author
9 years ago
cracked plastic
Tina Buell (Z9b)
8 years ago
Thank you for sharing this wonderful project. I'm inspired. How did the remodel go with the stronger support?
thonotorose
7 years ago
I wonder if you could pound a piece or two of rebar down through the center post of that frame to provide more stability?