GARDENING
Annual Vines
Gerald Filipski
I was talking to a friend , who was complaining about the difficulty of overwintering a clematis in a container .
I suggested trying fast-growing annual vines next year and forget the hassle of overwintering . Sometimes we just need to give up on what won ’ t perform and move on to something that will .
Fast-growing annual vines can add a splash of colour to any sunny area , hide an eyesore , screen you from a neighbour , add that lush effect that many gardeners are looking for . They do not require any special pruning to encourage blooming , and they climb easily with their twining stems or tendrils .
When you plant them in a container , annual vines can be placed wherever needed . If you have a deck or balcony that needs privacy or colour , a simple trellis , netting , or strings run from the railing to the eaves will allow the vine to climb and provide an instant green screen . This is a great way to make use of vertical space in a small area .
Annual vines grow fast , unlike perennial vines that may take years to reach full maturity . Varieties like morning glories or moonflowers can grow several centimetres per day during peak growing season , providing almost instant gratification for impatient gardeners .
Annual vines also provide flexibility . Each growing season presents an opportunity to completely reinvent your garden ’ s vertical landscape . Annual vines allow gardeners to experiment with different colours , textures , or design concepts annually without committing to long-term planting . Try vibrant scarlet runner beans one year and delicate cardinal climbers the next !
Lastly , seeds for annual vines are generally cheaper than established perennial vines , allowing more experimentation and creativity within a limited budget .
These vines like one or two feedings during the growing season with a fertilizer such as 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 . Don ’ t give too much nitrogen ( the first number ) as this will only promote leaf growth . The examples given , with the exception of the sweet pea , all thrive in the heat .
Gerald Filipski loves answering gardening questions , as evidenced in his book Just Ask Jerry . You , too , can question him at filipskigerald @ gmail . com . Answers to many questions can also be found on the Edmonton Journal website .
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