Page 27 - Silver Lakes July Issue 2023

GARDENING

CREEPERS AND CLIMBERS

By Elize Malan

reepers grow horizontally on the
ground because of their weak stems.
CFibrous roots may develop from nodes
that help them to anchor to the ground,
but the plants can be trained vertically on a
support if required.

Climbers have long, flexible stems that are Virginia creeper
rooted in the ground, and usually have Tendrils
dangling branches. In order to grow upwards
they need the help of external support.
Tendrils may develop from a climber’s axial or
terminal buds and are known as self-clinging Star jasmine
plants – because they will cover any support Canary creeper
on their own.

Vertical-growing plants are important in
gardens where space is limited. It’s a good
way to create privacy in high-density housing.
Use an evergreen, fast-growing climber on a
narrow pergola at your perimeter wall or fence
to block an outside view. An excellent example Starry wild jasmine Tickey creeper Ivy
is Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star jasmine)
as it will grow in full sun or semi-shade. It has A fence or trellis covered with a climber is Boston ivy and Virginia creeper are both
fragrant white flowers during summer and useful in dividing the garden into rooms of deciduous, vigorous, self-clinging creepers
rich green foliage that turns bronze in winter, interest, or it can be used as a screen for that will cover a pergola or wall in two years
making it an attractive option. water storage tanks and vegetable gardens. or less. Both have beautiful, coloured leaves
Make sure that the supporting structure in autumn, but the plants need regular cutting
Covering a pergola with a climber is a quick is strong enough for the climber that you back. Do not let them cover walls that need to
way to create shade in a garden. Trees will intend to grow. be painted. Their adhesive disks are difficult to
need 10 to 15 years to grow and achieve the remove when maintenance needs to be done.
same shade effect. The climber plants can A decorative trellis design will add character
be deciduous to provide shade in summer, and a focal point to even the smallest Climbing plants are the under-utilised jewels
but will still allow winter sun onto a patio or garden. Ficus pumila (Tickey creeper) and in modern garden design. Choose the right
pathway. Hedera (ivy) are slow-growing but will climber for your garden and it will be a
eventually create a year-round green wall. long-term investment that brings you great
According to www.almanac.com, Wisteria pleasure.
is a long-lived vining plant with cascades of Living plants can be used successfully as
blue to purple flowers that look spectacular supports for climbers and creepers. Ivy will References:
hanging from a pergola or archway in spring eventually smother its host support tree, The A-Z of Gardening in South Africa by W.G. Sheat
https://villagegardens.co.za/vertical-gardening/
and early summer. However, this vine is a fast but deciduous flowering species can be https://www.lifeisagarden.co.za/creepers-and-
and aggressive grower, and is known to grow real stunners growing into a tree. crawlers/
quite heavy. Wisteria vines will work their way
Tel: 012 804 1807
into any nook or cranny they can reach, so it’s Indigenous climbers such as Senecio Fax: 012 804 0278
advised to not plant them too near to your tamoides (Canary creeper) and Jasminum Web: www.garden-group.co.za
home. In autumn, the bright green leaves turn multipartitum (Starry wild jasmine) are Email: admin@garden-group.co.za
a vibrant yellow before falling off in winter. vigorous growers suitable for larger forest
gardens.
Rambling or climbing roses are firm favourites
in cottage-design gardens. Modern varieties Deciduous climbers can be messy when
will provide repeated splashes of colour shedding their leaves. This will require
throughout the summer. extra garden work during autumn.

INTRAMUROS JULY 2023 | 25