Vines: A Harrowsmith Gardener's Guide

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Vines, extremely popular with Victorians, usually find only limited
place in today’s garden. Their nostalgia value, variety, versatility,
beauty, and practicality all make them ideal for a renewal of interest.

Vines can be annuals or perennials. They can be strictly decorative or
yield fruit or vegetables, as well as provide privacy and shade, color
and structural interest. Morning glories, rambler roses, ivy, clematis,
peas, Virginia creeper, honeysuckle, wisteria, grapes, and cucumbers are
today’s best-known vines. Many others, equally attractive and useful,
deserve to be rediscovered: hops, dutchman’s pipe, glory bower,
climbing nasturtium, canary creeper, sweet peas, love-in-a-puff,
moonflower, bittersweet, and dozens of other beauties from the Victorian
garden would be practical and beautiful additions to modern gardens.

After introductory information on vine history, how vines climb,
various supports, vines to avoid (the parasitic suckers and stranglers),
and vine culture, both indoors and out, the text discusses 56 individual
vines, which are identified by both their popular and Latin names and
accompanied by a photo or pencil sketch. For each there’s a
description of leaves, flowers and fruit (if any), growth and climbing
patterns, required growing conditions, and other interesting snippets of
information.

Vines offer opportunities for spectacular results from limited garden
space, and add a finishing touch to landscaping by covering fences,
posts, shed walls, and other unattractive surfaces. Many are
fast-growing; while some love attention, others require only basic care,
making them ideal for gardeners with minimal skills or time.