garden projects

Garden Projects Archive

Garden Splendor with Vines and Roses

To add charm to a blank wall, window or entry arch, train a colorful vine or climbing rose to grow across, over or around.  We like to soften ‘hardscape’ whenever possible with a big splash of green foliage and/or colorful flowers.

Plant the vine or rose at the base of the wall.  As it grows, place plant anchors strategically so that there is something to attach the new growth to.  This is a very simple project, but the effect is stunning.

We use Bougainvillea in our area, because it is fast, colorful and there is very little down time in the bloom cycle during our long warm season.  We like to train Bougainvillea very flat and laced out, for a sculptural affect or just let it get big and blowsy for a more casual look. 

A good choice in partial shade is Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides).  It sends tendrils up and eventually thickens to form a dense wall of green with very fragrant white blossoms smothering it in the late spring.  Control the shape and density with fearless pruning, after the bloom time is over, usually by mid-summer.

Our favorite rose to train over a window or arch is the climber, Eden.  It starts out slow for the first year or two and then becomes a very floriforous and vigorous plant.  The flowers of eden are huge, old-fashioned in their shape with a pink/cream color.  This rose is spectacular, once established. 

We use the Tumax Plant Anchor Kit to train our vines and roses onto walls. These anchors work on stucco, masonry or wood. Be sure and allow plenty of time for the adhesive to set-up, when putting the anchors up. The kit includes the anchors, adhesive and green tie-tape.  The directions are included with the kit and are very easy to follow.