The Whistling Gardener

by Steve Smith

Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville, located at 3915 Sunnyside Blvd., and a respected local expert on all things horticultural. You can reach Steve at 425-334-2002 or by e-mail at info@sunnysidenursery.net.

Of all the kinds of plants we sell at the nursery, vines are in a class of their own. They are truly an unusual group of plants. They can be complete thugs in a garden where they are totally undisciplined, encroaching into other plants' personal space. They lack focus and tend to wander into areas where they don't belong. They are spineless and cannot stand up on their own two feet. Words like vagrants, miscreants, itinerants and vagabonds all come to mind. But give a vine some guidance and attention, and it will become your very best friend.

There is absolutely no better plant for building walls or roofs or even carpets than a vine. They are equally as comfortable growing horizontally as they are growing vertically, which makes them perfect for articulating our garden spaces. Build a modest support system for them and stand back as they clamber up the sides and over the top. In a few short seasons, you can have total privacy with the planting of the right vine in the right place.

Here are some of my favorites:

Akebia-This almost evergreen vine has the most pleasing foliage of any vine I know. The leaves are a soft green and divided into five fingers. While Akebia does bloom, it is hardly worth writing home about. The flowers are small and can be white or purple, and the fruit is edible. I have had the best luck with the white variety. Akebia is a versatile vine that will grow in either sun or shade, and if it gets too rambunctious it can be cut right back to the ground.

Blue Potato Vine-This is a somewhat tender vine (I lost mine this last winter) that grows very fast and will bloom all summer with blue flowers. It will cover a trellis in short order and, if the winter is mild, will even retain its foliage. It does best in full sun but don't plant it where you need year 'round privacy since it is tender and might die. Despite its lack of cold hardiness, it is well worth planting in my book.

Golden Hops-this is a perennial vine that dies back to the ground every fall. It is a golden version of the hops that is used in the making of beer, and I suppose you could use the blossoms from golden hops too. I have one in my back yard that, by August every year, has completely covered the arbor over my gate. It is a lovely mound of golden foliage and is a beacon on overcast days. At the first frost it all gets cut right to the ground so it is clean and tidy all winter. My garden would not be complete without it.

Red-leafed grape-In case you haven't noticed, colorful foliage turns me on. This is a very well-mannered grape vine with foliage that starts out green and then turns a dark red as the season progresses. It even sets copious clusters of small red grapes that are on the tart side to eat straight but would be fine for jam. The fall color is also a huge bonus.

Climbing Hydrangea-This is the consummate vine for the shade. It is self-clinging so needs minimal guidance and, once established (usually 2-3 years), is fairly vigorous. It sports white delicate lace cap flowers in early summer and the bright yellow fall foliage is very attractive. Even when out of leaf, the branching pattern is of interest.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for vines that will grow and thrive in the northwest. I could write a complete column on just Clematis alone and probably another one on Wisteria. Suffice it to say that if you are looking for a way to cover an old ugly shed or create a privacy screen or cover a pergola, then go to the vine department of your local garden center and see what they have to offer. There is bound to be a wayward vine there just waiting for you to take it home and give it some parental guidance.

Remember the old adage: Doctors bury their mistakes. Architects plant ivy.

Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached at 425-334-2002 or online at info@sunnysidenursery.net