Trellises and Vines

Article by Kathy Lillywhite

April 2010

Jewels of the garden

Blooming vines - the jewels of the garden. Vines and trellises go together like diamonds on earrings. Trellises are the perfect solution to many garden dilemmas. Vines and trellises are a perfect combination. Together they can do wonderful things for your garden.

The “trellis” ranges from humble to grand, utilitarian to sculptural and every design style that you can think up. What’s important is that the trellis fits in with the rest of the garden and will shoulder the weight of the plants. At Tuscan Garden Works you can find the heavy duty kind of trellises because of a trial I had with wood structures falling apart, loaded with heavy blooms. We provide you with the best and sturdiest and prettiest designs you can imagine. If you have something else in your mind’s eye…we will design it for you...in durable powder coated iron.

Vines and trellises can cover up uglies,
screen “uglies”

Tuscan Garden Works has beautiful two piece and three piece trellises that can hide anything from garbage cans to gas meters. Or you might need to block the neighbors from your view, all the while holding up your prized roses. (h.potter-
provide a screen for privacy





Announcing an entryway dramatically




add a little whimsy trellis




Transition from one outdoor area to another



give bare areas a point of interest,

Focal point or room separator

enhance a garden room with shade for cooling effects…

not to mention, a place to give your beautiful blooms a place to show off.

There are many vines that will grow well in our area. My favorite of all is a combination of clematis and roses for small spaces. There are over 200 species of clematis and they bloom at various time of the year.

One of the many 250 clematis varieties!

My pick for a fast growing, vigorous vine would be the porcelain berry with it’s beautiful berries changing from blue to lavender, pink and white. The variegated grape-type leaf is stunning as well.

The following are vines that I have had great success with, but there are many, many more that are not listed here.

Small Vines: Great for a small space or a free-standing trellis, most of these
vines reach a maximum of around 10 feet. They're also fairly lightweight, so
they don't need a huge, heavily built trellis to support them.

Clematis
Clematis hybrids (Small cultivars like 'Niobe')
Perennial vine /4 to 10 ft. /Full sun to part shade
Cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 or 5 to 9;
heat-tolerant in AHS zones 9 to 1; wide range of colors

Morning glory
Ipomoea purpurea
Annual /6 to 12 ft. /Full sun
Flowers in white, pink, red, blue and purple, some bicolors; fast-growing; reseeds but seedlings are easily pulled

Rose Rosa hybrids (Small cultivars like 'Jeanne LaJoie' or
climbing 'Rainbow's End')
Shrub or woody vine / 4 to 10 ft. /Full sun
Most small climbing roses are cold-hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8; heat-tolerant
in AHS zones 9 to 1; may need to be covered in zone 5 and colder; will need to
be trained onto trellis
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Big Vines: If you're looking for a big impact in your garden, these vines will do it. Many of them reach between 10 and 20 feet, while several actually get much bigger, up to 40 feet. You'll need a big, heavy trellis to support these plants, or try growing them over a pergola for a shady seating area.

Grape Vitis hybrids
Woody perennial vine/8 to 20 ft. /Full sun
Most cultivars are cold-hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8;
heat-tolerant in AHS zones 9 to 1; high maintenance if grown for fruit
production, but can be grown as an ornamental that produces some fruit; large
leaves may turn red-purple in fall.

Hyacinth bean Lablab purpureus
Tender perennial/10 to 20 ft. /Full sun
Usually grown as an annual, although cold-hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11; heat-tolerant in AHS zones 12 to 3; rose-pink or white flowers are followed by glossy red seed pods; grows quickly and will cover a trellis in a season

Porcelainberry Ampelopsis brevipedunculata
Perennial /10 to 20 ft. /Full sun to light shade
Cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8; heat-tolerant in AHS zones 9 to 1; leaves
like grape leaves; some cultivars are variegated; flowers are not showy, but
late-summer fruit turns from pink to rich blue; attracts birds; can reseed

Rose Climbing or rambling rose hybrids like 'Lady Banks' or 'Climbing Cecile Brunner
Shrub or woody vine /10 to 20 ft. /Full sun
Most climbing roses are cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 6 with protection; heat-tolerant in AHS zones 10 to 1, but may flower better in warmer (zone 7) climates; ramblers will clamber over a structure, but roses need to be tied to a structure

Trumpet vine Campsis radicans
Perennial vine /25 to 40 ft./Full sun to part shade
Cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9; red, orange or yellow trumpet-shaped
flowers attract hummingbirds; large and heavy vine that needs a sturdy support;
can spread aggressively

Wisteria Wisteria sinensis
Woody perennial vine/25+ ft. /Full sun
Cold-hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8; heat-tolerant in
AHS zones 8 to 1; grapelike clusters of fragrant white or purple blooms are more
reliable in warmer climates; vines very heavy and may damage structures, so be
sure structure is sturdy

Trellises and arbors can go just about anywhere you like. A front door, garage door or over a prominent window an eyebrow arbor enhances any homes value and beauty.

Any outdoor space can become a haven of fresh air on your terms. Everyone craves a bit of outdoor connection and you can carve out a little space with a little imagination almost anywhere. Trellises make the bones of the wall and vines and climbers make the wallpaper and draperies. Good luck with your plans and give us a call or come into Tuscan Garden Works for many more ideas!

We are in your neighborhood. 468 W. 9160 So. Sandy, Utah 84070

You Know Your Garden needs updating…..

Can’t quite put your finger on what needs to be done?

Take a photo or two of your home from the curb. Looking at a photo can help you detect in an instant what is needed to be done with your landscape. It could be the lack of privacy or lack of a significant point of interest. If you would like some great opinions bring the photo in to Tuscan Garden Works, we have oodles of great ideas!

Privacy is usually a big issue and sometimes, as a homeowner, we don’t even know it. Your home, no matter how beautiful it is, sticks out like a sore thumb and it needs some help connecting it to Earth.

What are your needs?

The following are some common complaints by other homeowners:
Drivers-by can see our entire lot in one glance, straight through to the back fence! There is nothing to give intrigue.

Our home needs to feel more welcoming.
There are ugly views; how can I make them disappear?
The summer sun is a scorcher and it’s hard to enjoy our patio.
The busy road is so noisy; it’s hard to enjoy our outdoor space.
We keep looking at our garden and it’s just plain boring; it probably needs structure.

The following tips can help you create your dream garden:

Room with a View

Stand in each room of your home and look out the windows. Which views do you like and which ones need repairing? Every yard has at least one feature that you don’t like. Maybe it’s the air conditioner unit, or a utility box or two or maybe the neighbor’s dog run. Whatever it is that ruins your view, there is something that can be done about it. On the other hand, if you have a spectacular view you need your landscape to show it off.

Make Spring Sing!

This is the perfect time to make plans for your outdoor spaces.

If there is budget enough for just one landscape improvement, I would get a bench and place it in your pathway. If you have no pathway, place it in your loveliest flowerbed. If you have no flowerbed…create one, right out in front so that it is most noticeable! Everyone likes to sit in the out-of-doors to enjoy the sights, sounds and fragrances. If you have no place to sit, there is no garden enjoyment.

Money Magazine determined that landscaping offers an excellent return on investment. Actually it ranks top out of any home improvements. In addition, there was a study done by the American Society of Landscape Architects in conjunction with Money Magazine. A recovery value of 100% to 200% of landscaping costs can be gained when you sell you home.

Plant something new this year- Have you seen the new vibrant Cone Flowers? (Echinacea purpurea) Some are doubled, some are bright new colors, some have added fringe. The Cone Flowers have done really well in my garden. The continue to come back year after year, the deer don’t particularly like them, and the seed heads are attractive all winter long.

Every homeowner’s landscape needs some vertical elements, especially if you are dealing with new landscape. Eventually the trees will grow up! If you have a mature landscape you’ll want to use garden sculpture, such as: trellises, obelisks, sun dials, birdbaths and such for focal points. Focal points can draw the eye into the center of a garden, or provide visual balance or contrast for the plants, enhancing them.

Using the Chinese Triangle

I was taught in a Landscape Design class to use the technique of planting in uneven triangles. Using the obtuse triangle (we called it the Chinese Triangle) for placement of three plants, shrubs or trees, makes a very pleasing design. Then by varying the height of three trees in a similar area is “dynamite” in a planting area!

This is really a Huraki’s Theorem- Is that why we call it a Chinese Triangle?

I’m sure this is more information than anyone wants to know, but doesn’t it make a stunning design!?

Consider using this 3 point positioning in the grand scale of things as well as in the minute details. As you observe your landscape and home from your curb, pick out three areas to develop that would enhance the entry way to your home.

You may find this one plant placement so successful, you’ll be asked by your friends and neighbors for your help!

"Celebrating spring means Mother's day, Easter, Weddings and Aniversaries!"

New Spring line of Jacobean Florals.

Bobby and Betty Bunntington

are Welcoming in

Spring at TUSCAN GARDEN WORKS!

"Beautiful selection of Mark Robert's collectibles" Special pricing!

Tips for creating a garden that sings!

Staging Your Home for Selling or Dwelling

 

1.  The approach to your home or “curb appeal” is hugely significant if you are considering selling your home. You get 15 seconds for a drive-by potential buyer to consider your home.  She will not even think of entering your home if the exterior doesn’t intrigue her. Besides the basics of cleaning up, pruning and weeding, be sure to add something of interest and color. The minimum would be a grouping of colorful pots planted up and placed at the front door. The front door should be a focal point; there should be no questions as to where the entrance to your home is located.

 

 

2.  First Impressions upon entering the home

can be deciding ones.  The prospective buyer should see sparkling clean floors, freshly painted walls, gleaming windows and lots of light. The entry or foyer is the introduction to your home.  You might want to purchase a fresh accent piece, mirror, clock or art work to give your home an up-to-date feel. Make it special.

 

Almost everyone needs more light- layered light:  ambient, task or accent light. 

Ambient light is overall, evenly distributed general illumination.   This can be natural light or diffused ceiling fixtures. Ambient light can also be achieved     with floor lamps and table lamps.

Task light is directed on a specific area, which includes a hanging light over a table, lamp by a reading chair or desk light.

Accent light draws attention to a particular area and adds sparkle and drama— such as picture lights or candlelight.  The prospective buyers must feel like they   have entered a model home.  Most Real Estate companies have people who can  help you achieve this feeling. Their advice is free. 

     

 

3.  De-Personalize and De-clutter every room, closet and drawer. “De-personalize” means to take down and store away anything that makes a home, your home! Family photos and portraits, trophies, collections, kid’s art work, posters, and vacation souvenirs.  This can be a heart-wrenching task for some and a refreshing assignment for others.

Before

“De-cluttering” means you’ll have to take out some furniture; anything that blocks the traffic flow. Most furniture pieces can be re-cycled throughout the home.

Also, you’ll have to ditch about 1/3 or more of all accessories. The flotsam and jetsam of daily life has a way of sneaking into every room. Managing clutter seems to be a challenge for everyone.   Use pretty containers or baskets to hide necessities such as remote controls, car keys, magazines and newspapers, shoes at the back door, and garden hoses.  

After

Start with a good purge and then concentrate on controlling clutter, by organizing, this will greatly improve the quality of your life as well as help you sell your home.

    

4.  The backdoor area is the last impression a potential buyer will remember.  Shoes and coats are a life-size distraction. Ditch most of them.  If you have hooks just hang one or two items there. More than that looks cluttered; like you ran out of storage space. 

Light the back porch and backyard. Accentuate a pretty view.  Turn on a garden fountain or light up a special tree or flowerbed.  End with a great impression!

 

 

 

Revamp, Redecorate or Renovate?

Maybe it’s just the “After Christmas Blaas”,  but suddenly you walk into your living room and you feel deflated, bored or maybe even a little depressed? 

Your home should be an uplifting place that reinvigorates you.  Maybe it’s time to revamp, redecorate or renovate.  Your budget probably defines what you should do to your room or home.  If you can revamp a room the cost will be minimal.  If you renovate, you should consult with a designer, architect or construction contractor.  Maybe the middle of the road is to redecorate.

The following tips might do the job for you- inexpensively.  But for sure these tips will help you create a new look that will make you smile!

Undecorate First:  Take down all of your holiday decorations, remove knickknacks and tschoskes, photos and artwork, plants and lamps- even throws and pillows have to go. (you may bring back some items, so don’t throw them too far)

Leave only the anchor pieces- sofa, tables and big shelves, pianos and such. You may, however trade furniture pieces with another room.) Your goal is to start with an empty box, a blank slate, tabula rasa.  Now you can create your work of art with stunning success -one room at a time!

Re Arrange the Furniture:  If your sofas are flanking the fireplace, maybe you’d like to change the focal point and look out the window?  Or if your focal point is the TV, maybe it’s time to deemphasize that and re arrange so your room will work as multi functional- a place to check your email or a place for the kids to do homework? Whatever it is that you need to change,  the living room needs to look inviting, less formal and generally updated.

New Art Work:  Replace dated family photos with new images. Reflect on the current season, the approaching season, or a new mood that you are feeling. Try a new theme with artwork, spice things up with a new accent color. You might try your hand at oil or acrylic painting on canvas- try an abstract with bright splashy colors. Go a brand new direction  – its risky but what are you out? If you are not ready to replace old artwork or photos, try a new arrangement on your wall or place the collection on a different wall.

 

 

New Lighting:   Many overlook the aspect of lighting in the home.  We often think of the functional feature of lighting rather than the aesthetics or décor for a room.  To make a dramatic change in a room, get new lamps.  Be brave, change your style with a pair of  new table lamps or perhaps a buffet lamp on the sofa table. Try them in different locations. You may want to add a light to shine on some artwork or back-light your book shelves or other furniture.  Light makes a great difference.

 

Add Storage:  Trays on tables, placemats under lamps or trays, baskets for remotes or magazines, a chest instead of coffee table, small desk or perhaps a console or up right chest.