Ask Mr. Fix it

A good way to decorate your garden is the use of vines. They are very low maintenance and look good on almost anything. If you’ve got a fence or separator that really stands out in the field of green that is your garden, then growing a vine over it can be a quick and aesthetically pleasing solution. However, there are many types of vines for different situations, whether you are trying to grow it up the side of a house, along the ground, or up a tree.

Pergolas are great places to grow vines. Discover more
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Many varieties of ground vines are available. These types grow fast and strong, and just inch their ways along the ground. They are very easy to direct, so they can make a border around your garden, or just weave in and out of the plants. I suggest using these as a hardy ground cover if you just want some green on your dirt or mulch. Usually you can find a variety that is resistant to being stepped on. It’s like a leafy, nice alternative to grass. Even if you have kids and a dog, it should have no real issues staying healthy.

Another type of vine that is available is a “twining” vine. This refers to their method of climbing. Twining vines require a lattice or equally porous surface to climb up, since they are not sticky at all. They just climb by sending out small tendrils to loop around whatever is nearby. I suggest using this type of vine for climbing up trees, or any type of mesh. Usually you have to guide them a lot more in their early stages, and after that they will go wherever you want them to.

Vines not only look great as ground cover or on lattices, you can blend them in to the very architecture of your house. This is often achieved through the use of vines with small tendrils that have adhesive tips. They grow out from the vine and attach themselves to almost any surface. If your garden is adjacent to your house and you would like something to camouflage the big unsightly wall, it’s a great idea to grow a few vines near the base. If you have a vine such as the Virginia Creeper growing, then your entire wall will be covered in a matter of months.

One of the vines that you would probably know is Ivy. You see it around a lot, generally because it is so adaptable. Of the types I mentioned above (ground, twining, and sticky pads), Ivy can fill in for pretty much anything. It makes a great ground cover, and will grow up about any surface you put it on. Although it grows quick and strong, I would advice against growing it up the side ofyour house. Buildings which have had ivy for many years can show a deterioration in the building work.

So no matter what you want to do with a vine, you should have no problem getting it to grow. You should always do your research beforehand and find out about any negative qualities the vine has (such as its ability to destroy buildings, in Ivy’s case.)

Tags: house additions, home improvement, diy, electrical, home repair